On November 8, 2026, police announced the arrest of a suspect in the killing of Katie Suarez, a 28-year-old woman who was stabbed while running in Brooklyn, New York. The arrest marks a major step in a case that shocked the city and led to a large police search.
Police arrested Sayed Mohassib, 27, at his home in New York City. He has been charged with second-degree murder. Detectives say evidence placed him near the scene of the attack. His arrest came after days of work by police and a search for clues.
Suarez was attacked on Friday, October 30, at about 6:30 p.m. She had just left her job at a TD Bank branch in Caesar’s Bay Shopping Center. She then went for a run along the Shore Parkway Greenway in Brooklyn. Running was one of her favorite activities.
But Suarez did not return home. Her father became worried and went out to look for her. He later found her with two stab wounds to the neck. She was rushed for medical care, but she died a few days later.
Her death caused deep sadness among family members, friends, and local residents. Many people were shocked that such a violent attack could happen while someone was taking a simple evening run. The case also raised fresh concerns about public safety in the area.
Police first treated the killing as a possible random attack. Detectives searched for evidence and spoke with people who might have seen something. They also asked the public to share any details that could help find the person responsible.
A key lead came from security camera footage at the shopping center where Suarez worked. Sources familiar with the case said the video helped police identify Mohassib as a suspect. Detectives then built a case that led to his arrest.
Investigators also recovered a knife from a landfill on Staten Island. Police believe the weapon may be linked to the killing. The recovery of the knife could prove important as detectives continue to examine the evidence.
Information obtained by investigators also points to statements made by Mohassib after his arrest. According to sources, he made comments that linked him to the killing. Police say he told detectives that he could not remember the murder but recalled being covered in blood.
Police have not reported any clear personal link between Suarez and Mohassib. The only known connection between them is that both attended Brooklyn College. Investigators have not said that they knew each other before the attack.
Mohassib also has a past link to the New York Police Department. He worked briefly for the department in 2022 before leaving to join the US Marine Corps. He was later discharged from the Marines.
After his discharge, Mohassib tried to return to the police force. However, he was sent to Bellevue Hospital for a mental health assessment and did not rejoin the NYPD. Police have not said that his past work or medical assessment played a role in the attack.
Before his arrest, Mohassib most recently worked as a teacher’s aide at P.S. 200 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. His arrest led to a response from the city’s Department of Education.
The department said it had suspended him and would seek to end his employment after the arrest. It also said student safety remained its top concern. The department added that it would support police with any help needed during the probe.
The case remains under investigation as police review the evidence and work to establish the full events before and after the attack. Detectives are also looking into how the suspect may have reached the area and what happened during the final moments of Suarez’s life.
The arrest brings a major development in the search for answers. However, the case will now move through the court system. Mohassib is facing a second-degree murder charge, and the allegations against him have yet to be tested in court.
Suarez’s death has left her family and community seeking justice. Her killing also remains a painful reminder of the fear and loss caused by violence in public spaces.
