Subway Bombing Victim's Identity Revealed by Authorities in Brooklyn
In a shocking turn of events, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old individual, has been charged with first-degree murder and arson in connection with a tragic incident that occurred on a Brooklyn subway train on December 22, 2024.
The victim of this heinous crime was Debrina Kawam, a 61-year-old resident of New Jersey. The incident took place at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station on the morning of December 22. Ms. Kawam was found unresponsive on a stationary subway train, and despite efforts to control the fire, she was declared dead shortly after.
According to the charges, Zapeta-Calil allegedly used a lighter to start the fire and a shirt to fan the flames while Ms. Kawam was asleep. It is reported that he approached her without any prior interaction and attempted to enhance the blaze, rather than extinguishing it.
The identification of Ms. Kawam's remains was a challenging task for investigators due to the severity of her burns. However, authorities, including US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, were able to confirm her identity. It was revealed that Zapeta-Calil is an illegal Guatemalan immigrant who had been previously deported from the United States in 2018 before illegally reentering the country.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has emphasized the importance of identifying Ms. Kawam's remains during the investigation and notifying her family as a priority. He described the crime as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being."
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch echoed these sentiments, stating that the subway fire incident was "a despicable act of violence."
As of early August 2025, Zapeta-Calil is currently held by the NYPD awaiting the autopsy results of the victim, which will influence further charges. No trial or sentencing information has been reported so far. Zapeta-Calil has claimed that he has no recollection of the events surrounding the attack, but during a preliminary hearing, it was noted that he did recognize himself in images captured during the attack.
Zapeta-Calil is scheduled to appear in court again on January 7. The latest update on the court proceedings is that he has been charged with first-degree murder and arson. The case has sparked significant public attention and highlighted city sanctuary policies regarding immigration.
Sources:
- https://www.aol.com/mystery-woman-torched-death-horrific-154733058.html
- https://www.aol.com/sebastian-zapeta-calil-id-d-182154142.html
- https://www.fairus.org/issues/societal-impact
In light of the alarming subway fire incident on December 22, 2024, which resulted in the first-degree murder and arson charges against Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, this event has become a notable concern in general news and politics, as well as in crime and justice sectors. The city sanctuary policies regarding immigration have come under scrutiny in the aftermath of the attack, leading to a debate over the incident's impact on public safety.
