Who Is Sayed Mohassib? Former NYPD Officer Charged in Brooklyn Jogger Katie Suarez Case
Sayed Mohassib, a 27-year-old former New York Police Department officer and Brooklyn public school aide, has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of Katie Suarez, a 28-year-old woman attacked while jogging along a waterfront path in Brooklyn. His arrest followed an intensive police investigation into the incident, which shocked residents and raised concerns about public safety.
Mohassib was taken into custody on November 7, 2026, and charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon. Investigators say surveillance footage and other evidence helped identify him as a suspect. Authorities have not publicly established a motive.
Who Is Sayed Mohassib?
Sayed Mohassib is a 27-year-old Brooklyn resident who previously served in the NYPD and the United States Marine Corps. Before his arrest, he worked as a teacher’s aide at P.S. 200, a public elementary school in the Bath Beach neighborhood.
According to law enforcement sources, Mohassib briefly worked as a police officer in 2022 before resigning to pursue military service. He later left the Marines and attempted to return to the NYPD, but his reinstatement was unsuccessful following a psychological evaluation.
His employment history has attracted scrutiny because he subsequently obtained a position working with children in a New York City public school.
What Happened to Katie Suarez?
Katie Suarez was attacked on October 30 while jogging along the Shore Parkway Greenway near the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. The 28-year-old had finished work at a nearby bank and was following her usual running route.
She had arranged to meet her parents after completing her run. At approximately 7:56 p.m., Suarez spoke with her father and told him she was about half a mile away.
When she failed to arrive, her father went searching along the waterfront path. He discovered her unconscious beneath a tree with serious injuries to her neck.
Suarez was transported to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn in critical condition. She died from her injuries several days later.
Her killing prompted an extensive investigation, with detectives examining surveillance recordings and searching the surrounding area for evidence.
How Was Sayed Mohassib Identified as a Suspect?
Investigators reportedly used surveillance footage to trace a man seen walking near the area where Suarez was attacked. Video evidence led detectives to a nearby barbershop, where they obtained information that helped identify a potential suspect.
Additional footage allegedly showed Mohassib disposing of garbage bags near his residence on the night of the attack.
According to law enforcement sources, Mohassib told investigators that he could not remember the alleged stabbing but recalled being covered in blood afterward.
Prosecutors have also alleged that evidence recovered from his apartment connected him to the incident.
These claims form part of the criminal investigation and have not been established as facts through a completed trial.
Sayed Mohassib Previously Worked for the NYPD
Mohassib’s professional background has become a significant aspect of the case.
He briefly served with the NYPD before leaving the department in December 2022 to join the military. Law enforcement sources said he was subsequently discharged from the Marine Corps over mental health-related concerns.
Mohassib later sought reinstatement with the NYPD, but the department declined his request following a psychological evaluation.
He eventually became employed by the New York City Department of Education as a school aide.
Following his arrest, education officials confirmed that he had been suspended and that they would pursue termination of his employment.
Local elected officials have called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his hiring and continued employment.
What Charges Does Sayed Mohassib Face?
Mohassib faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon.
He appeared in Brooklyn court following his arrest, where prosecutors outlined allegations concerning the attack and evidence recovered during the investigation.
A judge ordered him held in custody, and his next court appearance was scheduled for November 10, 2026.
Investigators have not confirmed whether Mohassib and Suarez personally knew each other. Police initially described the attack as apparently random.
The criminal proceedings remain ongoing. Mohassib is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What Happens Next in the Katie Suarez Case?
The investigation has raised questions about the circumstances of Suarez’s killing, the suspect’s previous employment and safety measures along Brooklyn’s waterfront paths.
Residents and local officials have called for improved lighting, additional security cameras and increased police patrols in the area.
Meanwhile, Suarez’s family and community continue mourning the loss of a young woman who was following a familiar running route when she was attacked.
As the case proceeds through the courts, investigators and prosecutors will be responsible for presenting evidence supporting the charges against Mohassib. The motive and full circumstances surrounding the incident remain unresolved.
