BROOKLYN — A New York City Department of Education employee is in custody, facing murder charges in connection to the brutal stabbing death of 28-year-old Katie Suarez, who was killed while jogging along the Shore Parkway greenway last week.
The NYPD announced the arrest of 27-year-old Sayed Mohassib of Brooklyn on Saturday. Mohassib has been charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a weapon.
The tragic incident occurred on the evening of October 30. Suarez was discovered by her own father, who had been searching for her when he found her suffering from a fatal stab wound to the neck along the popular waterfront path. She was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries.
Mohassib was led out of the 62nd Precinct by authorities on Saturday afternoon. Wearing a red jacket and flip-flops, the suspect remained silent as he was transported to face the charges. While investigators have yet to release a motive or specify what evidence led them to Mohassib, the arrest has brought a measure of somber relief to a community shaken by the senseless violence.
“I think it’s a little bit of relief,” one local resident told reporters near the scene. “Hopefully, potentially, some closure for her family.”
The arrest has triggered a storm of scrutiny regarding Mohassib’s background and his employment within the city’s school system. Police sources confirmed that the suspect was a teacher’s aide at Public School 200 in Brooklyn. Further records indicate he previously served in the NYPD as a field trainee in the Bronx between October and November 2022.
In a statement following the arrest, the Department of Education announced that they have suspended Mohassib and intend to move forward with termination. “The safety of our students is our very top priority,” the department said, adding that they are cooperating fully with the ongoing police investigation.
However, a group of local elected officials—including City Councilmember Kayla Santosuosso, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember-elect Chris McCreight—have demanded answers regarding how Mohassib was vetted for his role at the school. In a joint statement, the officials cited claims that Mohassib was a former Marine who had been discharged on psychiatric grounds.
“This last revelation raises serious questions about how he came to be employed in a local public school and warrants a full investigation into the circumstances of his hiring and continued employment,” the officials stated.
The killing of Suarez, described by her mother as “an angel,” sparked a massive manhunt across the city. Earlier this week, her mother, Yasira Suarez, had issued a heartbreaking public plea for the perpetrator to turn themselves in. As the legal proceedings against Mohassib begin, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack remains active.
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