The Murder of Debrina Kawam.
On December 22nd, one of the most sadistic, ghastly crimes in recent and all of Brooklyn’s memory occurred. Debrina Kawam was callously set on fire by Sebastian Zapeta-Calil at the last station on the F line, Stillwell Avenue. She was failed in the moments she needed help the most. It leaves many wondering if the murder of Debrina Kawam could have been avoided.
The murder of Debrina Kawam.
Kawam and the perpetrator, Zapeta, were on the same train headed toward Stillwell Avenue station, just before 7:30 a.m. on December 22nd. The two had no prior acquaintance. Kawam was asleep, oblivious to the cruel fate that awaited her. When the F train reached the end of the line at Stillwell Avenue, Zapeta approached Kawam with a lighter and ignited her coat. Kawam’s entire body was instantaneously engulfed in flames. Zapeta is seen in video sitting on nearby benches, watching as she is ablaze. Eventually he is seen fanning the flames on Kawam, trying to make them bigger.
“With the help of an MTA employee and a fire extinguisher, the flames were put out. Unfortunately, it was too late.” NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Thanks to the released surveillance and bodycam footage of Zapeta, he was recognized by responsible teenagers, who promptly called 911. Zapeta was arrested in Midtown Manhattan, eight hours after her murder.
What lead to Debrina Kawam’s murder?
A lack of negligence on multiple levels conspired in the brutal murder of Debrina Kawam. Firstly, was Sebastian Zapeta-Calil’s presence in the United States. An illegal migrant from Guatemala, Zapeta was deported under Trump’s first presidency in 2018. After Biden’s election, very clearly, he came back in. In a video, Kawam is seen on fire as an NYPD officer casually walks by. A bystander also took video as she was on fire. Why wasn’t there anyone responding to Kawam with noticeable urgency?
Cell phone cameras are a wonderful thing, but one wonders if cell phones dull the senses and encourage complacency. The indifferent treatment Kawam received is an indictment on the state of NYC. Where is our humanity when we twiddle our thumbs as someone is burning before our eyes? It was this and NYC’s lax vetting policy for migrants entering this city that led to her death.
New York City deserves better.
NYC residents and anyone visiting should be safe. Life is not risk averse though, and it is impossible to make anything absolutely safe. The pursuit of such an ideal would be dangerous in and of itself. Debrina Kawam’s murder was avoidable however. Obviously, if Zapeta wasn’t in NYC the likelihood of her being burned alive would have been unlikely. It’s possible that even if someone rapidly responded to Kawam she would have succumbed to her injuries. However, if someone had responded to Kawam in a timely manner she might be with us today. We will never be able to know for sure.
NYC and the United States need to thoroughly vet the people entering. There have been multiple murders of American citizens over the years by illegal migrants across the country. Brooklynites supports people seeking to improve their lot and standing in life. That cannot come at the expense of our citizens however. There is no reason that with all of the technology and information available we shouldn’t know exactly who is here.
Secondly, the NYPD needs to perhaps overhaul its policies and hiring requirements. Police officers need to be quick, alert, and ready to take action. Someone on fire requires nothing less than complete urgency. The officer that indifferently walked by Kawam needs to be investigated, fired, and penalized.
Who was Debrina Kawam?
People anxiously awaited the announcement of her identity and finally after weeks it was revealed. Debrina Kawam was 57 years old and a resident of Tom’s River, New Jersey. Her family in New Jersey was notified. She had recently moved to NYC and was homeless at the time of her murder. Childhood friends recalled her as being high-spirited and happy. In high school, she was the vivacious, popular girl everyone wanted to know. A cheerleader at Passaic Valley Regional High School in her hometown, Little Falls, NJ, she radiated joy to many. She brought energy to any party and regularly went on trips to Las Vegas or the Carribean with her friends. Eventually personal tragedy struck when she became homeless, and remained so until her untimely death on December 22, 2024.
Debrina Kawam’s name must not be overshadowed by her tragic, final moments on Earth. Let us remember the light that she was and radiated to countless people in her life.
As always I, and the team at Brooklynites, thank you
for reading. Stay safe.
The fire in Prospect Park:
https://brooklynites.nyc/fire-in-prospect-park/
The closing of NYC’s cherished Rubin Museum:
https://brooklynites.nyc/letting-go-of-the-rubin/
Read more about the murder of Debrina Kawam:
Post a comment