Brooklyn stabbing victim Katie Suarez mourned as suspect indicted for murder
A wake is being held for Katie Suarez, 28, fatally stabbed while jogging in Brooklyn. A grand jury has indicted suspect Sayed Mohassib, 27, on second-degree murder charges.
Brooklyn wake held for jogger Katie Suarez as former teacher's aide faces murder charge
Family and friends gathered Wednesday evening at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home in Gravesend, Brooklyn, to pay their respects to Katie Suarez, the 28-year-old woman prosecutors say was fatally stabbed while jogging last month. According to abc7ny.com, visitation ran from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a Funeral Mass scheduled for Thursday at St. Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, followed by interment at Green-Wood Cemetery.
The wake came one day after a Brooklyn grand jury indicted 27-year-old Sayed Mohassib on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with Suarez's death.
"Katie Suarez was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her, brutally taken from her loved ones in a senseless act of violence," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "Today's indictment marks an important step toward securing justice and I commend the NYPD for its swift and thorough investigation. We will vigorously prosecute this case to seek the full accountability that justice demands."
Authorities allege Mohassib stabbed Suarez on 30 October while she was running near Shore Parkway and Bay 17th Street in Bath Beach.
Mohassib was arrested Saturday. At the time of his arrest, he was employed as a teacher's aide at P.S. 200. The Department of Education suspended him following the arrest and officially terminated his employment on Monday. Suarez's family testified before the grand jury on that same day.
The case has prompted concern among parents and city officials over how Mohassib was permitted to work in a school environment. Court documents indicate he told detectives he went to the bike path carrying a knife because he believed people were planning to harm his family. His mother previously told the outlet that her son has had repeated admissions to psychiatric hospitals.
Elected officials and community advocates gathered Tuesday to call for improved lighting and safety measures along the Shore Parkway Greenway, where the attack took place. Advocates noted that a 1.3-mile stretch of the waterfront path is without lighting.
"We're here demanding more lighting and a safer promenade, so that we do not have to keep telling more stories like that of Katie Suarez," Council Member Kayla Santosuosso said.
Officials acknowledged it remains unclear whether better lighting would have prevented the attack, but argued that any potential safety improvements should still be pursued. Mohassib remains in custody as the case proceeds.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)