Sebastian Zapeta in Court: Faces a Potential Life Sentence

Sebastian Zapeta in court on Jan. 7, 2025

The request was made during his arraignment on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and arson. These charges stem from a horrific incident on December 22, when he allegedly set a sleeping woman on fire aboard a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn, New York.

The victim, later identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, a homeless woman, suffered fatal injuries, including severe burns and smoke inhalation. Surveillance footage obtained from the subway station reportedly shows Zapeta-Calil igniting the woman’s clothing with a lighter. After setting her ablaze, he is seen fanning the flames using a shirt and calmly standing by as the fire consumed her.

Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as both shocking and horrifying, with other passengers scrambling to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, Kawam succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter.

Debrina Kawam from Toms River, New Jersey, id as woman fatally set on fire on NYC Subway

Zapeta-Calil was arrested later that day after an investigation led law enforcement to him. During questioning by NYPD detectives, he expressed remorse but claimed a lack of memory regarding the incident.

"I am very sorry," he allegedly said. "I didn’t mean to. But I really don’t know. I don’t know what happened, but I’m very sorry for that woman." According to his defense team, he was heavily intoxicated at the time and incapable of comprehending his actions.

Legal Background and Immigration Status

Zapeta-Calil has a complex legal and immigration history. Records indicate that he had previously been deported from the United States in 2018. Despite this, he re-entered the country illegally at an unspecified later date and had been residing in a men’s shelter in New York City at the time of the attack. His illegal immigration status has added a layer of scrutiny to the case, particularly in the context of his prior deportation.

Court Proceedings

The undocumented immigrant accused of setting a woman on fire aboard a Brooklyn subway train was so heavily intoxicated that he expressed shock when police presented him with video evidence of the horrifying incident, according to recently released court documents.

"Wow, that’s me!" exclaimed 33-year-old Guatemalan national Sebastian Zapeta-Calil when NYPD detectives showed him footage of the December 22 attack at an F train station in Brooklyn.

“The truth is, I don’t remember,” he added. “Oh my goodness!”

According to the transcript of his interview, which was unsealed in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Tuesday, Zapeta-Calil appeared visibly distressed by the images. He reportedly wiped his eyes and lowered his head onto the table, seemingly overcome by the gravity of the situation.

Zapeta-Calil has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense attorney has emphasized the need for medical supervision due to his mental and physical condition while in custody. If convicted on the charges of first-degree murder, Zapeta-Calil faces a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The judge has ordered him to be held without bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for March 12.

Public Reaction and Broader Implications

The brutal nature of the crime has sparked outrage among New York City residents and reignited debates surrounding public safety on the subway system, homelessness, and the challenges of managing mental health issues among vulnerable populations. Advocates for improved subway security have called for increased law enforcement presence on public transit, while others stress the need for mental health services and housing support to prevent such tragedies.

The case remains under intense public and media scrutiny as it unfolds, with many awaiting further developments and hoping for justice for the victim.

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