The Atlanta train passenger who was slaughtered in a shocking daylight weekend attack was reportedly stabbed nearly two dozen times in what cops are calling a horrific random assault.
John Elijah Matthews, 25, was caught on chilling surveillance footage boarding a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) Saturday morning and hovering over 66-year-old Margaret Swan before allegedly pulling out a knife and slitting her throat, according to a warrant obtained by 11Alive.
The unwitting passenger, sitting alone, began screaming and trying to escape as the violent brute allegedly held her down and stabbed her 18 to 20 times in an unprovoked attack.
John Elijah Matthews is accused of brutally killing a passenger on a MARTA train. Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Police probe the scene of a fatal stabbing on a MARTA train near Oakland City Station in Atlanta. FOX 5Matthews — reportedly homeless — then hurled Swan to the floor and stood over her as the train reached Oakland City Station, the warrant showed.
The accused assailant fled the train while allegedly still brandishing a knife, as the victim lay motionless inside the rail car in a large pool of blood.
John Elijah Matthews being detained by police after the fatal stabbing on a MARTA train. Instagram/lifeaspariss__MARTA authorities quickly arrested Matthews on the train platform after horrified riders described what he was wearing, the warrant said.
First responders attempted to save the gutted woman before she died.
Officers also recovered the knife allegedly used in the heinous attack.
Police at the scene of a fatal stabbing on a MARTA train in Atlanta. FOX 5“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, Fox Atlanta reported.
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.
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.
Police are seen on the platform of a train station after a fatal stabbing on a MARTA train in Atlanta. Instagram/lifeaspariss__“It’s crazy, just need more security, for real. Watching everywhere,” MARTA customer Montanio Huff told the outlet.
A MARTA worker near the station where a passenger was fatally stabbed in Atlanta. FOX 5“They really need to block it off where homeless people can’t come in because it’s getting bad out here.”
Matthews, who has no known address, is being held at Fulton County Jail.
He faces one count of felony murder and is expected to make his first court appearance Monday.
