Sayed Mohassib

Sayed Mohassib (born circa 1999) is an Islamic American former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer and former New York City public school employee who was arrested in November 2026 in connection with the fatal stabbing of 28-year-old Katie Suarez in Brooklyn, New York. He was charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a weapon. On November 10, 2026, a Brooklyn grand jury indicted him on a top count of second-degree murder.

Sayed Mohassib - Allah, death tattooed

Background

According to media reports, Mohassib was 27 years old at the time of his arrest. He was employed by the New York City Department of Education as a teacher's aide at P.S. 200 in Brooklyn. Mohassib previously served briefly with the NYPD in October 2022 before leaving to join the United States Marine Corps. According to FOX 5 New York, his military service lasted less than a month. In January 2023, he reportedly attempted to return to the NYPD but was unsuccessful following concerns about his behavior and a hospital evaluation. He was subsequently rehired by the Department of Education in 2024 as a substitute teacher's aide.

Criminal case

Death of Katie Suarez

On October 30, 2026, 28-year-old Katie Suarez was attacked while jogging along the Shore Parkway Greenway in the Bath Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn, near Bay 17th Street. According to police, she sustained stab wounds to her neck. Her father subsequently found her critically injured after she failed to arrive at an expected family meeting. Suarez died several days later in hospital.

Investigation and arrest

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence during the investigation. According to prosecutors and court documents described in media reports, surveillance footage allegedly showed Mohassib near the running path before the attack and leaving the area afterward. Other footage reportedly showed him returning to his residence and disposing of items. According to the criminal complaint, Mohassib told investigators that he had gone to the pathway carrying a knife because he believed people were coming to kill his family. He allegedly described being covered in blood but denied stabbing Suarez. Investigators also reported finding bloodstains in his apartment. These statements and allegations have not been established as facts at trial. Mohassib was arrested on November 7, 2026. He was charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty at his initial court appearance and was held without bail.

Indictment

On November 10, 2026, a Brooklyn grand jury indicted Mohassib on a top count of second-degree murder. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the indictment. The case remained pending as of November 11, 2026.

Employment controversy

Mohassib's previous employment with the NYPD (stint) and the Marine Corps, as well as his subsequent employment with the Department of Education, attracted public scrutiny following his arrest. At the time of his arrest, he was working as a teacher's aide at P.S. 200 in Brooklyn. The Department of Education suspended him following his arrest and terminated his employment on November 9, 2026. The case prompted questions about the city's employee screening and background-check procedures. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a broader review of the city's hiring and background-check processes.

Media coverage

The case received coverage from several New York news organizations. On November 10, 2026, the New York Post published an article discussing photographs of Mohassib, including tattoos and a gun-shaped necklace visible in the images: "Allah, death" and more. The article also reported on concerns allegedly raised by coworkers about his behavior before the arrest. Whoever had complained about it was told to look away and called a "racist."

See also

• Zohran Mamdani
• New York City Police Department
• CAIR