School aide who briefly served as NYPD officer arrested in fatal stabbing of Brooklyn jogger
A public school employee who briefly served as an NYPD officer was arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the random stabbing of 28-year-old jogger Katie Suarez on a Brooklyn bike path on Oct. 30; she died days later from her injuries. Investigators identified the suspect, Sayed Mohassib, 27, through area surveillance and footage showing him disposing of bags near his home the night of the attack. Mohassib had a prior, short NYPD stint and later faced mental-health-related removal from service when he attempted to rejoin the force; he was last employed as a paraeducator at PS 200 in Brooklyn. The Department of Education suspended him pending conviction as the investigation continues, while Suarez’s family recounts the moment she planned to meet her parents after her run. The case underscores concerns about background vetting and public safety as authorities pursue further details of the random assault and its motive.
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Sayed Mohassib, 27, was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Katie Suarez, who was attacked October 30 on the Belt Parkway bike path in Brooklyn and died days later.
Investigators used surveillance video from the area to identify Mohassib as a suspect, and security cameras showed him dumping bags of garbage near his home on the night of the killing.
Mohassib previously worked for the NYPD for about a month in October 2022 before requesting a reassignment to the military; he was removed due to mental health issues and the NYPD denied reinstatement in January 2023.
He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital's psychiatric ward after unusual behavior when attempting to return to work; details of whether his psychiatric history was considered at hiring remain unclear.
Mohassib most recently worked as a paraprofessional at PS 200, an elementary school in Brooklyn, and continued reporting to work after the stabbing; the DOE said it suspended him and would seek termination pending conviction.
Police believe the attack was random and that Suarez, who intended to meet her parents after the run, was found by her father when she did not arrive as planned.