Police identify victim of NYC fatal subway burning

Police identify 57-year-old woman as the victim of NYC fatal subway burning

Updated: 2:55 PM EST Dec 31, 2024

God, we declare that there will be justice. *** vigil was held Thursday for the victim of *** horrific attack. *** woman riding *** New York City subway was killed after being set on fire by another passenger Sunday morning. The crime has some commuters fearing for their safety and criticizing local and state government. Thank God. But it’s not just the person’s fault, it’s the system’s fault. We’re constantly being attacked, assaulted. Thrown in front of trains. According to testimony from police officers on the scene, the suspect, 30 three-year-old Guatemalan citizen Sebastian Zapeta Khalil, used *** shirt to fan the flames, causing her to become fully engulfed. One of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit. Against another human being, Sepeta Kalil appeared in court Tuesday for an arraignment but did not enter *** plea. He will appear again on Friday for *** procedural hearing. He’s been charged with first degree murder, 2nd degree murder, and arson. If you act in an unusually cruel way. Which is depraved, which is tantamount to torture you get first degree. Commuters are calling for more resources for mental health services, transit workers, and the homeless to address safety concerns. Lord, we’re asking for help. We’re asking for answers. I’m Sherelle Hubbard reporting.

Police identify 57-year-old woman as the victim of NYC fatal subway burning

Updated: 2:55 PM EST Dec 31, 2024

The woman who was killed when a man intentionally set fire to her while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train earlier this month has been identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, police said.Kawam resided in New Jersey, the New York Police Department told CNN.The New York City Office of the Medical Examiner determined the woman died by homicide caused by thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, according to a complaint filed in Brooklyn Criminal Court.Sebastian Zapeta Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant accused of killing Kawam, was indicted Friday on charges of first- and second-degree murder and arson.Police say Zapeta-Calil calmly walked up to Kawam on Dec. 22, as she was sleeping on an F train approaching the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, and used a lighter to ignite her clothes and the blanket that was wrapped around her.Correction note: The New York Police Department previously reported that the victim was 61 years old. It was later corrected that she was 57.

The woman who was killed when a man intentionally set fire to her while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train earlier this month has been identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, police said.

Kawam resided in New Jersey, the New York Police Department told CNN.

The New York City Office of the Medical Examiner determined the woman died by homicide caused by thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, according to a complaint filed in Brooklyn Criminal Court.

Sebastian Zapeta Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant accused of killing Kawam, was indicted Friday on charges of first- and second-degree murder and arson.

Police say Zapeta-Calil calmly walked up to Kawam on Dec. 22, as she was sleeping on an F train approaching the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, and used a lighter to ignite her clothes and the blanket that was wrapped around her.

Correction note: The New York Police Department previously reported that the victim was 61 years old. It was later corrected that she was 57.