Sayed Mohassib, 27, has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 28-year-old Katie Suarez along the Shore Parkway Greenway in Brooklyn, New York. Suarez was attacked while jogging on October 30, 2026, and died from her injuries several days later.
Mohassib, a New York City Department of Education employee and former NYPD officer, was arrested on November 7. Prosecutors also charged him with tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.
Katie Suarez Attacked While Jogging in Brooklyn
Suarez was running along the Shore Parkway Greenway in the Bath Beach neighborhood on the evening of October 30. She had been preparing for an upcoming running event and was following her usual route after finishing work at a nearby bank.
She planned to meet her parents after completing her run. At approximately 7:56 p.m., her father called to ask when she would arrive. Suarez reportedly told him she was about half a mile away.
When she failed to appear, her father went looking for her. At approximately 8:16 p.m., he discovered her beneath a tree along the waterfront path, suffering from serious stab wounds to her neck.
Suarez was transported to NYU Langone Hospital in critical condition. Despite medical treatment, she died on November 2. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that her death resulted from stab wounds to the neck.
Police Arrest Sayed Mohassib After Weeklong Investigation
The NYPD launched an extensive investigation following the attack, reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and examining evidence from the surrounding area.
Investigators eventually identified Mohassib, a 27-year-old Brooklyn resident, as a suspect. He was arrested on November 7 and charged in connection with Suarez's death.
According to court documents, surveillance footage captured a man believed to be Mohassib walking toward the running path before the attack and running away afterward.
Additional footage allegedly showed him returning to his apartment and leaving approximately 15 minutes later wearing only underwear. Prosecutors said he was captured discarding clothing and other items through a garbage chute.
The recordings became an important part of the investigation, helping detectives reconstruct his movements around the time of the stabbing.
Evidence Recovered Inside Mohassib's Apartment
Investigators also examined Mohassib's apartment, where they reportedly discovered a reddish stain on a wall that tested presumptively positive for blood.
According to the criminal complaint, a detective observed Mohassib attempting to clean the stain. Prosecutors also alleged that he disposed of clothing and other items connected to the incident.
During questioning, Mohassib reportedly acknowledged going to the Shore Parkway Greenway carrying a knife. According to court documents, he told investigators that he believed people were going to kill his family.
He allegedly described sitting on a bench and becoming covered in blood but denied stabbing anyone. Prosecutors also cited statements indicating that he attempted to dispose of the knife and other evidence after returning home.
Investigators subsequently recovered a knife from a landfill after Mohassib allegedly provided information about where it had been discarded.
Who Is Sayed Mohassib?
At the time of his arrest, Mohassib was employed as a school aide at Public School 200 in Brooklyn, working under the New York City Department of Education.
He had previously worked briefly for the NYPD in 2022, spending approximately one month with the department during field training. He also served briefly in the U.S. Marine Corps before being discharged in less than a month.
Following his arrest, the Department of Education confirmed that Mohassib had been suspended and said it would move to terminate his employment. The department also stated that student safety remained its priority and that it was cooperating with investigators.
His previous employment with law enforcement and the military has attracted additional attention following the arrest, although those employment records do not independently establish responsibility for the killing.
Mohassib Faces Murder and Evidence Tampering Charges
Mohassib was arraigned in Brooklyn on November 7, 2026, and pleaded not guilty. He faces three criminal charges:
- Second-degree murder.
- Tampering with physical evidence.
- Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
The judge ordered him held without bail at Kings County Supreme Court. His defense attorney requested protective custody because of concerns about his safety following widespread publicity surrounding the case.
According to reports published on November 8, Mohassib was expected to return to court on November 10.
Investigation Continues as Family Mourns Katie Suarez
Suarez's death devastated her family and the Brooklyn community. Her mother, Yasira Suarez, publicly expressed her grief and called for accountability following the killing.
Her family also made the decision to donate her organs. According to media reports, the donations helped save five lives, providing a lasting impact despite the circumstances of her death.
The killing prompted renewed concerns about safety along the Shore Parkway Greenway, particularly among people who regularly use the waterfront route for running and cycling.
Investigators have described the attack as apparently random, but have not publicly established a motive or confirmed that Mohassib and Suarez knew each other.
As of November 9, 2026, Mohassib remains in custody while the criminal case proceeds. The charges against him are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
```
- Log in to post comments