Brooklyn Stabbing: NYC Department of Education Employee Arrested for Fatal Attack on Runners Path

New York City police arrested a school employee on Saturday for the fatal stabbing of a local runner.

Officers took 27-year-old Sayed Mohassib into custody for his role in the death of Katie Suarez, 28. The attack happened on the evening of October 30 along the Shore Parkway greenway. Suarez was found injured by her father after she failed to check in. She was rushed to a hospital but later died from her wounds.

Mohassib, a resident of Brooklyn, now faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a weapon. He works at Public School 200 in Brooklyn. Before joining the Department of Education, he served as a field training officer for the NYPD in the Bronx from October to November 2022. He is also a former Marine who was discharged on psychiatric grounds.

When police led Mohassib out of the 62nd Precinct on Saturday afternoon, he wore a red jacket and flip-flops. He remained silent while officers and reporters stood nearby. Authorities have not yet released the full timeline of how the suspect was linked to the crime scene.

The Department of Education stated that student safety is its top priority. The agency confirmed that Mohassib is suspended and will be terminated if he is convicted. Officials said they are cooperating with the NYPD investigation. City Councilmember Kayla Santosuosso, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember-elect Chris McCreight issued a joint statement. They described Mohassib as a mentally disturbed man with no prior criminal record. The group called for a full review of the hiring process and his placement in the school system.

The arrest ended a large-scale search that drew intense public attention. Yasira Suarez, the victim's mother, spoke publicly earlier in the week about her grief. She told reporters, "you took an angel." Community members along the greenway expressed relief that the search was over. The legal process is now underway as the city prepares to finalize administrative actions regarding the suspect's employment.