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Atlanta Woman Fatally Stabbed in Unprovoked MARTA Attack
2 Jun
Summary
- A 66-year-old woman was fatally stabbed on a MARTA train.
- The attack is described as random and unprovoked by transit police.
- A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with the incident.
A 66-year-old woman was fatally stabbed aboard a MARTA train in what transit police are calling a random act of violence. The victim, identified as Margaret Swan, was attacked on Saturday as a train moved between the Lakewood-Fort McPherson and Oakland City stations.
According to transit police, John Elijah Matthews, 25, has been charged with murder malice. CCTV footage reportedly shows Matthews approaching Swan, who was sitting alone, and stabbing her multiple times, including in the throat. Swan was allegedly stabbed 18 to 20 times while screaming for help.
Matthews was arrested at the Oakland City Station with a knife still in hand. Emergency medical personnel attempted to save Swan, but she died at the scene. This stabbing follows another incident last week where a man was stabbed at the Georgia State Station, exacerbating passenger fears about train safety.
