Debrina Kawam Dies After Subway Arson Incident

The New York Police Department has identified Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey, as the victim of a horrific subway attack on December 22, where she was set on fire by Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. Kawam, who reportedly had a brief stint in the city's homeless shelter system, was attacked while sleeping in a stopped subway car, with Zapeta using a lighter to ignite her clothes and then fanning the flames with his shirt before watching her burn. He was apprehended shortly after the incident, following tips from high school students who recognized him from surveillance footage. The case has raised significant concerns regarding safety in the public transit system and the treatment of vulnerable populations. Mayor Eric Adams condemned the attack, calling it a “horrific incident” and reiterating the need for better care for individuals experiencing homelessness. Amid the tragedy, misinformation spread online, falsely identifying Kawam and misrepresenting her background, emphasizing the challenges of accurate reporting in sensitive situations.