A Brooklyn teen is being hailed as a hero for his decisive actions that helped police capture a man accused of setting a woman on fire, killing her, aboard an F train last month.
Kingson Tse, 14, was recognized on New Year’s Day with a City Council citation from Council Member Susan Zhuang for assisting police in apprehending 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, the suspect in the December 22 attack.
According to Zhuang, Kingson and two of his friends were at the Coney Island subway station on the day of the attack when they saw a photo of the suspect circulating online in connection with the crime.
Moments later, one of Kingson’s friends realized the suspect was in their subway car. Initially skeptical, Kingson confirmed the match when he saw Zapeta-Calil asleep nearby and quickly called 911.
“Kingson deserves immense praise for his quick thinking in immediately calling the police,” Zhuang said following the citation ceremony. “He was very courageous and absolutely did the right thing. 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.”
Kingson, an avid basketball player, was on his way to a game when he and his friends recognized the alleged suspect. In addition to the citation, Zhuang presented him with a basketball as a token of appreciation.
Zhuang urged others to follow Kingson’s example, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and community care. “Kingson’s bravery reminds us that if we see something dangerous, we must say something,” she said.
Following Zapeta-Calil’s arrest on Dec. 22, New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch thanked the three Brooklyn high school students for their quick thinking.
“Other transit officers responded to that 911 call and also spotted the man, wearing the same grey hoodie, distinct wool hat, paint-splattered pants, and tan boots, already on another moving train,” Tisch explained. “Police radioed ahead to have the trains stopped.”
Officers from Transit District 2 walked through each car of the stopped train until they located and arrested the suspect without further incident, Tisch said.
“I want to thank the young people who called 911 to help. They saw something, they said something, and they did something,” the commissioner said. “This is an example of great technology and even greater old-fashioned police work with a huge assist from the public.”
Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan migrant previously deported in 2018, was arraigned Tuesday, Jan. 7, in Brooklyn Supreme Court on first-degree murder charges. He is accused of using a lighter to set 57-year-old Debrina Kawam on fire as she slept aboard the subway. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Zapeta-Calil attempting to fan the flames with a jacket.
Kawam’s body was so severely burned that it took days for authorities to identify her through fingerprints. Family representatives said Kawam grew up in Toms River, New Jersey, but had been living in New York City’s shelter system at the time of her death.
Zapeta-Calil pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be held in custody indefinitely without bail. If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
