An Atlanta train passenger was stabbed to death during a “senseless” daylight attack Saturday afternoon, before cops swiftly arrested the suspect.
Police responded to reports of a stabbing at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s Oakland City Station just after 12 p.m., where they found the unidentified woman suffering from the suspected stabbing, Fox Atlanta reported.
First responders began rendering aid to the wounded rider before she was pronounced dead.
“This appears to be a senseless act of violence, and our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” MARTA officials said in a statement, according to the outlet.
An unidentified suspect was immediately arrested by MARTA police.
Officials have not released the identity of the victim or the suspected stabber.
Additional details on the stabbing, including possible charges, were not clear, but several people had witnessed the killing.
The deadly attack prompted MARTA to briefly suspend service into and out of the Oakland City Station for several hours.
The Oakland City Station, which serves the red and gold MARTA lines, sits 4 miles southwest of Downtown Atlanta, in the Oakland City neighborhood of Atlanta.
Riders blamed Saturday’s killing on a recent fare switch that has allowed people, including the homeless, to enter MARTA stations and trains for free.
“It’s crazy, just need more security, for real. Watching everywhere. They really need to block it off where homeless people can’t come in because it’s getting bad out here,” MARTA customer Mantonio Huff told Fox Atlanta.
Saturday’s stabbing happened less than a week after another MARTA rider was stabbed multiple times at the Georgia State Station near the Georgia State Capitol last Sunday.
The series of violent attacks has caught the attention of some passengers who have begun to fear for their safety.
“I just don’t understand it. It’s just too much violence,” MARTA rider Joseph Turner told WSBTV.
“You just have to be prepared to defend yourself, and just a random attack out the blue, that’s just crazy,” Maurice McCaslin, another MARTA passenger, told the outlet.
MARTA officials attempted to calm the fears of passengers over the violence aboard the public transit system.
“We understand the concern and fear incidents like this can cause for those who ride and work on the MARTA system. MARTA Police are actively investigating and remain committed to the safety and security of our riders and employees,” the agency said.
Read the full article here
