A 33-year-old man has entered a not-guilty plea in a shocking arson case after prosecutors say he set a sleeping woman ablaze on a Brooklyn subway train last month. The case, which involved a homeless victim and a gruesome attack on public transit, has sent shockwaves through the city — and raised urgent questions about passenger safety and vigilance.
Horror on the F-Train: What Happened
On the morning of December 22, 2024, a woman — later identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam — was sleeping onboard a stationary F-train at the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. Around 7:25 a.m., investigators say suspect Sebastian Zapeta-Calil approached her and ignited her clothes using what appeared to be a lighter.
According to surveillance footage and witness statements, Zapeta-Calil reportedly waited as the victim burned, and even used a shirt to fan the flames — a chilling act that prosecutors described as deliberate and unprovoked. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene; the medical examiner later identified the cause of death as severe burns and smoke inhalation. It reportedly took nine days to confirm her identity.
Zapeta-Calil was arrested later that day after authorities released surveillance images and a tip reportedly led police to him at a Midtown subway station.
Court Proceedings & Charges
In his arraignment before a Brooklyn criminal court on January 7, 2025, Zapeta-Calil pleaded not guilty to multiple severe charges: one count of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder, and first-degree arson.
If convicted on the top count, he faces life in prison without parole, reflecting the gravity of the crime and the impact on public safety.
During the hearing, prosecutors urged swift and “the most serious” punishment for what they described as a “heinous and inhumane act.”
Broader Impact: Transit Safety Under Spotlight
This horrific killing has renewed deep concerns over the vulnerability of homeless or sleeping passengers on public transit — especially in a city where millions rely on the subway daily. The randomness and brutality of the attack have stirred public fear and prompted calls for greater subway security and surveillance. Advocates for the homeless are also demanding better protection and social support for individuals at risk.
For many New Yorkers, the incident represents a terrifying breach of safety in what is usually considered a secure environment. The case is now shaping how city officials, transit authorities, and social services think about protecting vulnerable riders — and preventing future tragedy.
