NYC Mayor Orders Review of Schools' Hiring of Suspect in Jogger's Death
Sayed Mohassib worked as a substitute paraprofessional after being arrested for stabbing Katie Suarez to death.
By Marco Kapoor ·
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani directed his administration on Monday to investigate how the Department of Education hired Sayed Mohassib. Mohassib, 27, is accused of killing Katie Suarez, 28, while she was jogging in Brooklyn. He worked as a substitute paraprofessional at P.S. 200 in Bath Beach. The school suspended him and is moving to terminate his employment pending the outcome of the criminal case.
Suarez was stabbed in the neck on October 30 on the Shore Parkway Greenway. She remained on life support for several days before dying on November 2. Mohassib was arrested on Saturday and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. The DOE is currently providing counseling to students and families at P.S. 200, where Mohassib was assigned even after the murder occurred.
Mamdani stated that a full review will examine the circumstances of the hiring. He noted that the department is cooperating with the NYPD on the investigation. The mayor emphasized the city's commitment to safety and accountability for all residents. He described the attack as horrific and expressed solidarity with Suarez's family and friends.
City records indicate Mohassib has a documented history of psychiatric issues involving government agencies. He served as an NYPD officer for one month in 2022 before leaving the field training unit. He was later discharged from the U.S. Marines after failing a psychological evaluation. In 2023, he attempted to rejoin the NYPD but was not rehired after supervisors raised concerns about his behavior during a meeting that required a trip to Bellevue Hospital.
Local elected officials have called for clarity on the screening process. State Senator Andrew Gounardes, City Council Member Kayla Santosuosso, and Assembly Member-elect Chris McCreight issued a joint statement calling the situation troubling. They argued that the findings warrant a full investigation into how Mohassib secured the position and why he continued working there. Santosuosso represents the Bath Beach district where the victim lived and was killed.
City Council Member Frank Morano of Staten Island also requested a probe into the DOE's procedures. He asked what information was available to the department and which red flags were overlooked. The review aims to determine if changes are necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
