Suspect in Jogger's Murder Terminated by NYC Department of Education - Abc7NY

A former New York City police officer working as a teacher’s aide at a Brooklyn public school was terminated by the New York City Department of Education following his arrest for the fatal stabbing of a 28-year-old jogger, abc7NY reported.

Twenty-seven-year-old Sayed Mohassib is charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the October 30 killing of Katie Suarez. Investigators state the attack occurred on a bike path near Shore Parkway and Bay 17th Street.

Nyc jogger katie suarez declared brain dead after random stabbing

On Monday, the Department of Education confirmed the termination in a public statement. “The safety of our students is our very top priority and as such this individual has been terminated from NYCPS,” the agency said, adding that officials are supporting the New York City Police Department in the ongoing investigation.

Principal Danielle Nola addressed the school community directly. “I want to be clear: This employee will not be returning to PS 200 or any other New York City Public School’s location,” she wrote to families.

Court documents indicate that Suarez’s father discovered her body with a wound to the neck after she failed to arrive at a family gathering. Investigators report that Suarez had been training to participate in a 10K race scheduled for that Saturday.

Suspect in Jogger's Murder Terminated by NYC Department of Education - Abc7NY

According to court filings, Mohassib told detectives he went to the bike path carrying a knife because he believed individuals intended to harm his family. Prosecutors state he admitted to disposing of the weapon, discarding bloody clothing, and attempting to clean blood from his apartment.

Family background details emerged following the arrest. Mohassib’s mother, Fatma Mohassib, stated that her son left the NYPD to enlist in the Marines but found military regulations overly restrictive. She noted that a subsequent attempt to rejoin the police department was denied, after which he was taken to Bellevue Hospital. She defended her son’s character while acknowledging that he had spent time in and out of psychiatric facilities.

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The arrest has generated concern among parents and residents near PS 200, with some reporting a lack of direct notification regarding the attack and subsequent arrest.

Eyewitness News sources indicate that investigators are examining whether school staff members raised private concerns about Mohassib prior to the arrest and whether those reports reached school administrators.

Authorities are holding Mohassib without bail as the investigation continues.