Teen Heroes Denied Reward for Reporting Subway Arsonist
Three high school basketball players who played a crucial role in apprehending a man accused of setting a woman ablaze on a New York City subway have been denied the promised $10,000 reward. The reason? They reportedly called 911 instead of the designated tip line, as reported by the New York Post.
The Incident Unfolds
On December 22, Navid, Kingson, and Christos were traveling on a Queens-bound F train when they spotted Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, the suspect in question. Earlier that day, Zapeta-Calil had allegedly set fire to Debbie Kawam, a 57-year-old homeless woman who was sleeping on the train. Disturbing video footage captured him watching as she burned; police confirmed that Kawam did not know her assailant.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, these teenagers promptly dialed 911 to report their sighting. Law enforcement quickly responded by stopping the train and arresting Zapeta-Calil shortly thereafter. The NYPD publicly commended these young men for their courage in aiding law enforcement during this critical moment and announced that rewards were available for tips leading to arrests.
A Frustrating Turn of Events
However, when it came time to claim their reward, disappointment awaited them. They learned that their actions did not meet eligibility criteria because they had contacted 911 rather than using Crime Stoppers’ specific hotline number—1-800-577-TIPS—which is required for reward claims according to police policy.
Navid’s father expressed his frustration anonymously: “It’s absurd that you have to call this exact number in an emergency situation,” he stated. “Most people instinctively call 911.” He emphasized that while his son and friends didn’t act with financial gain in mind, recognition would have been appreciated given their significant contribution toward capturing someone who committed such an atrocious act.
In response to inquiries about this policy issue from various media outlets, NYPD officials reiterated that rewards are strictly reserved for anonymous tips submitted through Crime Stoppers’ hotline—not those made via emergency calls like 911.
Criticism from Community Leaders
Curtis Sliwa—the founder of Guardian Angels—voiced strong criticism regarding this decision. He described it as an example of unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles: “They make it nearly impossible for individuals to collect what they deserve due to what I term ‘Bureaucratic Mumbo Jumbo.’ It’s ridiculous! What matters is catching criminals—not which phone number you used.”
City Council Member Susan Zhuang also weighed in after honoring Kingson recently for his bravery during this incident. She urged NYPD officials to reconsider their stance: “These teens absolutely deserve recognition! Denying them is unjust; they acted like responsible citizens should—and we ought to encourage such behavior.”
Unfulfilled Expectations
The trio was unaware of any potential reward until after assisting with identifying Zapeta-Calil as the suspect; excitement turned into disillusionment upon learning they would not receive compensation despite playing an instrumental role in bringing justice swiftly.
Families supporting these young heroes are now banding together with plans aimed at advocating for what they believe rightfully belongs to them—the promised reward money. One parent shared anonymously about approaching city officials alongside other families involved: “There’s strength in numbers,” said Christos’ mother confidently. “We intend on pursuing this matter vigorously because our boys demonstrated remarkable judgment under pressure—they fulfilled their civic duty.”
As it stands now, Zapeta-Calil remains behind bars facing serious charges including first-degree murder and arson—a stark reminder of why community vigilance matters so greatly amidst rising crime rates across urban areas nationwide today.
Student Of Government Collage Of Engineering and part time journalist.Follow for topics such as politics,new technology,gaming etc..