Brooklyn Grand Jury Weighs Indictment in Jogger’s Killing
Sayed Mohassib, 27, is accused of killing Katie Suarez, 28, as she jogged along the area of Shore Parkway and Bay 17th Street in Brooklyn on October 30. He faces charges including murder in the second degree, evidence tampering and criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors anticipated that a grand jury could issue charges by November 10. Mohassib has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody. Suarez’s family testified before the grand jury on November 9.
Mohassib was arrested on November 7 while employed as a teacher’s aide at P.S. 200. The city Department of Education suspended him after his arrest and ended his employment on November 9. Records show he first worked for the department in 2019, later returning in 2024 as a substitute aide.
Court documents say Mohassib told detectives he brought a knife to the bike path because he believed people intended to kill his family. His mother said he had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he ordered a full review of the circumstances surrounding Mohassib’s hiring. The Education Department said it conducts background checks and is examining whether its hiring procedures can be improved; counseling and support are being offered to students and families.
The killing has also prompted local leaders to call for improved lighting along the Shore Parkway Greenway and action on outstanding streetlight repairs. Suarez’s funeral services begin November 11, with burial planned for November 12.
Brooklyn Case Raises Urgent Questions About School Hiring
The fatal stabbing of Katie Suarez has exposed serious questions about how Sayed Mohassib came to work as a teacher’s aide at P.S. 200. Mohassib, 27, is accused of killing the 28-year-old jogger near Shore Parkway and Bay 17th Street on October 30. Prosecutors anticipated that a Brooklyn grand jury could issue charges by November 10. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder and remains in custody.
Mohassib was arrested on November 7. The Department of Education suspended him and terminated his employment on November 9. Records show he first joined the department in 2019 and returned in 2024 as a substitute aide. His mother said he had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals, while court documents say he told detectives he carried a blade, fearing his family faced a deadly threat.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ordered a review of the circumstances around Mohassib’s employment. The Education Department says it checks employees’ backgrounds and is considering whether its hiring processes can be strengthened. That review matters: families and students deserve confidence that school safety procedures are thorough. The city is also making counseling and support available at the school.
Local leaders are seeking better lighting on the Shore Parkway Greenway and action on a backlog of streetlight repairs. Suarez’s family testified before the grand jury on November 9; funeral services begin November 11, with burial planned for November 12.
Brooklyn Killing Prompts Scrutiny of City Hiring Checks
The city must explain how Sayed Mohassib was hired as a teacher’s aide at P.S. 200 as he now stands accused of killing jogger Katie Suarez. Mohassib, 27, allegedly stabbed the 28-year-old on a Brooklyn path near Shore Parkway and Bay 17th Street on October 30. Prosecutors anticipated that a grand jury could issue charges by November 10. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder and is in custody.
Mohassib was arrested on November 7; the Department of Education suspended him and formally ended his employment on November 9. Records show he had worked for the department in 2019 and was rehired in 2024 as a substitute teacher’s aide. Court documents say he told detectives he brought a blade, believing his family faced a deadly threat. His mother said he had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ordered a review of the circumstances surrounding the hiring. The Education Department says it conducts background checks and is considering ways to strengthen its procedures. A review must address the questions parents and local officials are raising, while the city makes counseling and support available to students and families.
Local leaders are also demanding improved lighting along the Shore Parkway Greenway and attention to overdue streetlight repairs. Suarez’s family testified before the grand jury on November 9. Funeral services begin November 11, and her burial is planned for November 12.
Reported by ABC7 New York, CBS New York, ABC News, amNY, Gothamist.
