A New York City mother says she is in “deep pain” after her son was arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a female jogger.
Fatma Mohassib said she was stunned by the allegations against her 27-year-old son, Sayed Mohassib, and defended him after he was accused of repeatedly stabbing Katie Suarez, 28, in the neck.
Police said Suarez was training for the New York City Marathon on October 30 when she was attacked near Shore Parkway in Bath Beach.
The bank teller was taken to NYU Langone Hospital in critical condition and was later declared brain dead.
Sayed, a former NYPD officer who was discharged from the Marines after being deemed psychologically unfit, was arrested Saturday at his family’s home in Bensonhurst.
After learning of her son’s arrest, Fatma told WABC: “I’m in deep pain, I’m in deep trouble. I hope everything will go OK.”
The suspect’s mother, who spoke off camera, also explained why she considers Sayed an “excellent boy.”
“He’s a black belt, he’s been in Boy Scouts all his life, he’s gone to the mosque all his life, he goes to Brooklyn College, he’s on the basketball team—excellent boy,” she said.
Katie Suarez, 28, died after allegedly being stabbed multiple times in the neck while jogging near Shore Parkway in Bath Beach on October 30
Sayed Mohassib, 27, has been identified as the suspect in the case. His mother, Fatma Mohassib, said she was in “deep pain” following his Saturday arrest
Authorities said surveillance video placed Sayed near the scene both before and after Suarez was fatally wounded.
According to court documents reviewed by the outlet, he told detectives he had gone to the park because he believed “people were going to come and kill his family.”
Sayed reportedly told police that after reaching the area near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, he “sat down on a bench” and “became covered in blood,” court records stated.
He also allegedly told investigators that, after returning home, he disposed of his bloodstained clothing and the knife. Sayed further admitted trying to clean blood from inside the apartment.
The suspect allegedly said he dropped the items into a garbage chute across from the family’s apartment. WABC reported that the same location was involved in a 2024 incident, when his mother and sister called for help after he allegedly threatened to “chop them up.”
Fatma has denied that accusation.
“He never attacked me, never attacked his sister, never attacked anyone in the neighborhood,” she insisted.
Suarez was declared brain dead after the attack and remained on life support while doctors recovered her organs. Her pancreas, liver, kidneys and heart were donated, saving five lives this week
An NYPD officer places an evidence marker at the scene where Suarez was killed. Her father had gone looking for her and found his critically injured daughter bleeding in a nearby grassy area
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Fatma acknowledged that her son had struggled with his mental health, saying he had been admitted to psychiatric hospitals several times. His longest stay lasted two months, she said.
She also expressed sympathy for Suarez’s relatives and loved ones.
“My heart goes deep to the mother and the father. We both lost—you lost your daughter, I lost my son,” Fatma said.
Suarez was declared brain dead following the stabbing and kept on life support while doctors harvested her organs, the New York Post previously reported.
Her pancreas, liver, kidneys and heart were donated, helping save five lives this week.
Investigators initially examined whether Sayed and Suarez might have known each other because both attended Brooklyn College. However, the NYPD told Our News Outlet that they did not appear to be connected.
Sayed briefly worked for the NYPD before being discharged from the Marines, according to the outlet.
After leaving the Marines, he attempted to return to the police force but was rejected. He later became a teacher’s aide at PS 200 in Bensonhurst.
NYPD detectives investigate the scene where Suarez was fatally stabbed multiple times in the neck
The New York City Department of Education confirmed that Sayed has been suspended and said it plans to move forward with terminating his employment, pending the outcome of the case.
Following his arrest, Sayed was led from the Bensonhurst police station in handcuffs. He remained expressionless as officers escorted him away.
He faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon.
A judge ordered him held in custody. He is scheduled to return to court on November 10.
Meanwhile, Suarez’s family, friends and neighbors continue to mourn her death.
Her mother, Yasira Suarez, confirmed that her daughter died several days after the attack.
“Destroyed. We’re all destroyed,” she said. “You took an angel.”
Suarez’s father had gone out to search for her when he found his critically injured daughter bleeding in a nearby grassy area.
The investigation remains ongoing.
