Sayed Mohassib, a former police officer turned teacher, is accused of murdering 28-year-old Katie Suarez in a random attack in New York City. Reports suggest Mohassib allegedly once killed a family pet.
Attack and Arrest Timeline
The incident reportedly took place on Friday, October 30, while Suarez was jogging on a path. Police sources say Mohassib, a classroom aide, returned to work at the primary school the following Monday and was not arrested until the following weekend, November 7.
Police allege Mohassib stabbed Suarez twice in the neck as she ran along a Brooklyn promenade. He was identified using facial-recognition CCTV cameras that traced footage of Mohassib entering and leaving the area to his government ID.
Background and Mental Health Episodes
As Mohassib remains in custody, the New York Post has reported a series of mental health episodes affecting the 27-year-old. Mohassib served as a New York City police officer for several weeks in autumn 2022 before leaving the NYPD to join the US Marines.
However, he was rejected from military service and refused re-entry with the police in January 2023 because he appeared “disheveled,” sources added. Reports also suggest Mohassib once killed a family cat or dog, his mother told police previously.
Victim and School Response
Suarez’s father went looking for his daughter after she failed to arrive at a pre-planned meeting with her parents. He found her wounded, and she died in hospital days later.
Mohassib was a paraprofessional teacher at PS 200, also known as The Benson School, in Brooklyn. An Education Department spokesperson said in a statement: “The safety of our students is our very top priority. We have suspended this individual and will move to terminate employment pending the outcome of the conviction. We are supporting the NYPD in their investigation however is needed.”
