NEW YORK CITY — Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant from Guatemala, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and arson following the December 22 attack that killed Debrina Kawam, 57, on a New York City subway. Zapeta-Calil was arrested after a surveillance video reportedly showed him setting Kawam on fire while she was asleep on an F train in Brooklyn.
During questioning, Zapeta-Calil initially claimed he had no memory of the attack. However, after detectives showed him the surveillance footage, he reportedly said, “Oh, damn, that’s me,” and expressed remorse, stating he didn’t remember what happened but was “very sorry” for the victim.
Zapeta-Calil, who was indicted on first- and second-degree murder and arson charges, was ordered to remain in custody without bail. According to police, he used a lighter to ignite Kawam’s clothes and the blanket she was wrapped in as the train approached the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station.
Kawam, who had previously lived in New York’s shelter system and later resided in New Jersey, died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. The tragic event has heightened concerns about subway safety in New York City, following several violent incidents in recent years.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez condemned the attack, promising the pursuit of the most severe punishment for the crime. “The murder is atrocious and horrific,” he said in a statement. “Ms. Kawam and her loved ones deserve justice, and New Yorkers deserve to feel safe in the subways.”
Zapeta-Calil reportedly told authorities he sometimes drinks excessively and has memory lapses. He claimed to have no memory of how he arrived on the subway that morning, stating that he often wakes up either at home or on a train with no recollection of events. However, surveillance footage played a crucial role in identifying him as the suspect, and a tip from three high school students led authorities to locate him hours later in Midtown Manhattan.
When arrested, Zapeta-Calil had a lighter in his pocket, which police say further corroborated his involvement in the incident. Immigration authorities also confirmed that Zapeta-Calil had been deported in 2018 but re-entered the U.S. illegally.
He is currently facing life imprisonment without parole if convicted of first-degree murder.
