Walter_who
A Life Cut Short by Subway Violence and Systemic Failures
The report
The tragic death of Debrina Kawam on a New York City subway train has become a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and the systemic failures that contribute to such horrific events. This case, which involves a brutal act of arson, has sparked public outrage and ignited debates about public safety, mental health, substance abuse, and immigration policies.
This article explores the life of Debrina Kawam, the circumstances leading to her death, and the broader societal issues her tragedy has brought into sharp focus.
Who Was Debrina Kawam?
Debrina Kawam was a 57-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey. While details about her early life are scarce, it is known that she may have graduated from Passaic Valley Regional High School in Little Falls, NJ, in 1985. A yearbook entry indicates that she had dreams of becoming an “Airline Stewardess” and a secret ambition “TO PARTY FOREVER”.
However, her life took a different turn. Kawam struggled with significant financial difficulties throughout her adult life. Public records reveal a history of debts stretching back to the 1990s. In 2008, she declared bankruptcy, citing debts as high as $100,000 and an inability to work due to illness. She had a history of non-violent offenses, including citations for public drinking in various towns in New Jersey and New York. She was also pursued for unpaid rent in Toms River in 2016. Two casinos in Atlantic City won judgments against her in 2007 for unpaid debts exceeding $10,000. In 2020, she was living in a rundown apartment in Atlantic City.
A Descent into Homelessness
Kawam’s financial struggles contributed to her housing instability, eventually leading to homelessness. She had a “brief stint” in the New York City shelter system, where she had been living since early September 2024. The last record of her stay in the shelter system was on December 2, 2024, at a shelter in the Bronx. Despite the availability of shelters, many homeless individuals, including Kawam, often find themselves on the streets or subways due to various reasons.
The New York City subway system is often used as a refuge by people experiencing homelessness due to a lack of safe, accessible and adequate housing options. The subway provides a free space to sleep, and sometimes opportunities to get food or money from passengers. Some people who are homeless may prefer the streets or the subway over shelters due to safety concerns or strict rules in shelters. The lack of safe and adequate housing options for vulnerable populations is a critical problem that contributes to the cycle of homelessness and increases the risk of dangerous incidents, like the one involving Debrina Kawam.
The Horrific Subway Arson
On the morning of December 22, 2024, Debrina Kawam was sleeping on an F train as it approached the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn. She was surrounded by her belongings and a walker. While Kawam was sleeping, she was approached by Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old undocumented immigrant from Guatemala.
According to authorities, Zapeta-Calil used a lighter to ignite her clothes and the blanket she was wrapped in. Shockingly, he then calmly watched as she burned, even “fanning the flames” with his shirt. He then sat on a bench outside the train car as Kawam was engulfed in flames. The New York Police Department (NYPD) called the attack one of the most “depraved acts of violence” they had ever seen.
Responding officers put out the flames but it was too late; Kawam was pronounced dead at the scene due to thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. Zapeta-Calil was apprehended later that same day after three high school students recognized him from images that had been circulated by the police. He was found with a lighter in his pocket.
Zapeta-Calil was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and arson. He reportedly claimed to not remember the incident due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Systemic Issues and the Cycle of Homelessness
Kawam’s death is not an isolated incident but rather a stark illustration of deeper systemic failures that leave vulnerable individuals like her at risk. Several factors contributed to the circumstances surrounding her death, including:
- Homelessness and Housing Insecurity: The most significant systemic issue is the lack of affordable housing, forcing many people to seek shelter in public spaces like the subway.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Many individuals experiencing homelessness also struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues, often without proper treatment or resources. Zapeta-Calil was described as a heavy drinker and a user of the synthetic drug K2. He reportedly “bugged out” after smoking K2.
- Inadequate Shelter System: Shelters can be dangerous and have strict rules, leading some people to prefer the streets or the subway. Additionally, people may be kicked out of shelters for erratic behavior.
- Lack of Resources: Insufficient funding for outreach programs, mental health services, and detox programs leaves many vulnerable individuals without necessary support.
- Involuntary Commitment: The mental health system in the United States has been significantly dismantled and defunded, making it difficult to provide proper care for those in need. Involuntary commitment is now rare, even in cases where an individual’s choices are self-destructive and harmful to their community.
- The Failure to Provide Basic Human Rights: Many people believe that housing should be a basic human right, and the lack of affordable and safe housing contributes to homelessness. Some also believe that those who are severely ill and cannot care for themselves should be forcibly institutionalized and not left to live in filth.
Immigration Policies and Political Reactions
Zapeta-Calil’s immigration status as an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala who had previously been deported in 2018 and later re-entered the U.S. illegally became a point of political contention. This aspect of the case has fueled political debates about immigration policies, border security, and the alleged link between immigration and crime.
Some have argued that the incident highlights the failures of current immigration policies and the need for stricter border control. Others have cautioned against using this incident to stigmatize immigrants and noted that the focus should remain on the fact that this was a violent crime, regardless of the suspect’s immigration status. Mayor Eric Adams has also called for immigration reform and has stated that people who break the law and endanger others should be removed from the city after serving jail time.
Community Reactions and Calls for Change
The death of Debrina Kawam has sparked anger, sadness, and a renewed call for change. Many have expressed sympathy for Kawam and have criticized the city’s handling of homelessness. There is a debate about whether homeless services help or attract more people experiencing homelessness. Some argue that focusing on housing is the only way to address the homelessness issue. Others believe that the homeless need more and better services.
Advocates for the homeless have emphasized that people experiencing homelessness are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violent crimes. They also argue that the city and state have failed to address the lack of affordable housing, which forces many people to live on the streets and in public spaces like the subway.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Debrina Kawam’s tragic death is a heartbreaking illustration of the human cost of systemic failures. Her life, marked by financial struggles and homelessness, ended in a horrific act of violence on the New York City subway. This incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse.
It is crucial to re-evaluate the city’s approach to housing, healthcare, and support services for vulnerable populations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The focus must be on creating safe and affordable housing, providing accessible mental health and substance abuse treatment, and ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness have the resources they need to live with dignity and security. This is not just a personal loss; it is a call to action for systemic change.
Key Takeaways:
- Debrina Kawam was a 57-year-old woman who struggled with financial difficulties and homelessness.
- Kawam’s struggles led her to seek shelter in the NYC subway system.
- She was brutally murdered by Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an undocumented immigrant, who set her on fire.
- The incident highlights the failures of the system to provide safe housing and resources for vulnerable populations.
- Substance abuse and mental health issues are often intertwined with homelessness.
- There is a debate on the best ways to address homelessness, including whether to focus on housing, provide better support services, or a combination of approaches.
- Kawam’s death has become a flashpoint for discussions on immigration policy, although many believe the focus should remain on the violent nature of the crime.
- Her death should serve as a call to action for systemic change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
