A 14-year-old teen from Brooklyn was honored after he helped authorities capture a suspect who had set a sleeping woman on fire while aboard the F train.
Kingson Tse, 14, received a City Council citation for aiding the New York Police Department in capturing the suspect, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, moments after the fatal attack, as reported by the Brooklyn Paper.
A city council citation is a formal recognition issued by a city or town council to praise an individual or group for commendable achievements or dedication to the community. It typically acknowledges contributions that benefit local residents and is often signed or presented by a council chairperson or mayor.
The citation was awarded by New York City Council Member Susan Zhuang.
How the Teen Helped the NYPD
Tse and his friends were heading to a basketball game and were at the Coney Island subway station on December 22, the day of the attack. The teen and his friends saw a photo of the Zapeta-Calil circulating online and later noticed the perpetrator sleeping in their subway car. He promptly called 911.
"Not many adults, let alone a 14-year-old kid, would have done the same thing in his situation. If not for Kingson's bravery, the suspect could still be at large. He is a true hero and a testament to his parents and community," Zhuang said following the citation ceremony.
The teenager's 911 call allowed police officers to locate and arrest the suspect without further incident.
What Happened to the Victim?
The victim, identified as 57- or 61-year-old Debrina (sometimes reported as "Debbie") Kawam, was sleeping aboard a stationary F train when Zapeta-Calil set her clothes on fire using a lighter and fanned the flames with a shirt.
Zapeta-Calil had no connection or interaction with the victim prior to the attack, investigators said.
Officers at the station were able to grab a fire extinguisher and put out the flames, but the woman died at the scene. The burn injuries were so severe that it took authorities days to identify the victim through her fingerprints.
Zapeta-Calil was charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts. If convicted, Zapeta-Calil faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
