Sayed Mohassib, 27, is a former NYPD officer, former U.S. Marine and New York City public school employee charged with murdering 28-year-old Brooklyn jogger Katie Suarez.
His arrest has raised questions about how someone previously denied reinstatement to the NYPD over documented behavioral concerns was subsequently employed at an elementary school.
What We know About his Background
Full name: Sayed Mohassib; city records also list Sayed S. Mohassib
Age: 27
Residence: Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Work History: NYPD - Brief service in 2022, Military - Brief service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Most recent employment - NYC public school aide, P.S. 200, No Criminal Record Before Arrest. His mother, Fatma Mohassib, also described him as having participated in Boy Scouts, basketball and martial arts.
Education: His mother says he attended Brooklyn College
Current Charges: Second-degree murder, evidence tampering, criminal possession of a weapon
The Murder of Katie Suarez
Katie Suarez, 28, was a Brooklyn College graduate and bank teller who was attacked while jogging along the Shore Parkway Greenway in Bath Beach on October 30, 2026.
She suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck. Her father found her after she failed to meet her parents following her run.
Suarez was hospitalized in critical condition and subsequently died from her injuries. As a registered organ donor, she donated organs that helped save four lives, according to LiveOnNY.
Evidence Described by Prosecutors
According to court reporting:
Surveillance footage allegedly shows Mohassib approaching the waterfront trail before the stabbing and running away afterward.
Cameras reportedly captured him returning to his residence, later appearing in underwear and disposing of items down a garbage chute.
Investigators reportedly discovered blood evidence inside his apartment.
Mohassib allegedly acknowledged carrying a knife to the trail and subsequently finding himself covered in blood.
Prosecutors allege he disposed of bloody clothing and the knife.
Mohassib has pleaded not guilty. The evidence described above consists of allegations and accounts of the prosecution's case, not findings established at trial.
Listed as “White” in Police Filings
Although he is a muslim of Middle Eastern decent, Mohassib is listed as a “white male” in his NYPD filings. This calls to a growing issue in reporting of crimes with white and hispanic males seeing higher crime statistics due to Middle Eastern or Northern African criminals.
Timeline of Warning Signs and Employment
October–December 2022 — NYPD employment
Mohassib served as an active NYPD officer for just over a month, then went on military leave. He resigned effective December 16, 2022. The NYPD said his service firearm was removed and never returned.
Late 2022 — Marine Corps service
He enlisted in the U.S. Marines but reportedly served less than a month before discharge. News reports attribute the discharge to psychological and fitness concerns; the complete military discharge record has not been publicly established.
2023 — NYPD reinstatement denied
When Mohassib attempted to rejoin the department, supervisors observed concerning behavior and arranged for him to be transported to Bellevue Hospital. The NYPD denied reinstatement.
September 2024 — Reported family incident
Law enforcement sources reported that Mohassib was taken to Coney Island Hospital after family members alleged he threatened to harm them. His mother has disputed the allegations.
2024–2026 — Public school employment
City payroll reporting indicates he subsequently worked as a substitute school aide. More recent reporting identifies his workplace as P.S. 200 in Bath Beach.
October 30, 2026 — Fatal attack
Suarez was stabbed while jogging. Mohassib is accused of committing the attack.
November 2, 2026 — Suarez dies
She died after several days in critical condition.
November 7, 2026 — Arrest
Mohassib was arrested, charged and subsequently ordered held without bail.
November 9–10, 2026 — City investigation
Mayor Mamdani ordered a review of his school employment. As of the November 10 morning CBS report, a grand jury was considering whether to indict him.
Allegations Involving His Family and a Pet
A November 10 report, citing the New York Post and unnamed law enforcement sources, says Mohassib's mother previously told investigators he had killed a family pet.
Importantly, the reporting does not establish whether the animal was a dog or a cat, and this allegation has not been adjudicated in court. The same reporting describes alleged threats against family members.
His mother has separately disputed reports of prior violence. These conflicting accounts should not be treated as independently confirmed criminal acts.
What His Mother has said
Fatma Mohassib spoke to ABC7 on November 9.
She described her son as someone who participated in community activities, attended Brooklyn College and had experienced repeated psychiatric hospitalizations. She said his difficulties began after military service and rejected some of the reported claims about his behavior toward relatives.
She also expressed condolences to Suarez's family.
How Did He Get a Job Working with Children?
This is one of the major unresolved institutional questions.
The reported sequence is that Mohassib was denied reinstatement to the NYPD following a behavioral evaluation, but later obtained a role working with children in the NYC public school system.
He reportedly returned to work after the October 30 attack and continued working until his November 7 arrest. City officials have since suspended him, and reporting on November 10 says the Department of Education is moving to terminate his employment.
Mayor Mamdani has ordered a full review. The investigation will need to establish what information the school system legally possessed, what screening occurred, and whether hiring or reporting procedures failed.
Psychiatric treatment or a previous hospitalization does not by itself establish that someone is dangerous or ineligible for school employment.
His Tattoos
Murderer of Katie Suarez, Sayed Mohassib had The words are “Allah,” the names of two Muslim historic figures, apparently his own name and then “Donald J. Trump,‘’ “The Antichrist’’ and “Death.‘’ tattoed on him.
What Remains Unknown or Unverified
Several important questions remain unanswered publicly:
Motive: Investigators have not established a motive or evidence of ideological, religious or political motivation.
Relationship to the victim: Police have not identified a personal relationship between Mohassib and Suarez. Both reportedly attended Brooklyn College.
Medical history: The public does not have a complete, independently verified medical record.
School hiring: It remains unclear what background checks were conducted and whether school officials knew about the prior NYPD concerns.
Family allegations: The reports involving threats and the death of a family pet have not been independently substantiated.
Court proceedings: The November 10 morning reporting said a grand jury was considering an indictment; I have not confirmed a subsequent decision.
Political and Institutional Response
Three Brooklyn elected officials—State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Council Member Kayla Santosuosso and Assembly Member-elect Chris McCreight—have demanded an investigation into the circumstances of Mohassib's hiring and continued employment.
Mayor Mamdani has ordered a review, and the Department of Education has said it is cooperating with police and providing support to the school community.
The case raises specific public-accountability questions about coordination between government employers, workplace screening and responses to documented concerns. Whether any agency violated its procedures remains to be determined.
