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) Oakland City Station Saturday afternoon and sitting next to 66-year-old Margaret Swan before allegedly pulling out a knife and slitting her throat, according to Atlanta News First. The violent brute then stabbed the unwitting rider 18 to 20 times in an unprovoked attack.
MARTA authorities quickly arrested Matthews – reportedly homeless – on the train platform after horrified riders described what he was wearing, while the victim was found motionless inside the rail car, lying in a large pool of blood, according to a criminal warrant obtained by the outlet.
First responders attempted to save the gutted woman before she died.
Officers also recovered the knife allegedly used in the heinous attack, the warrant said.
“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.
“It’s crazy, just need more security, for real. Watching everywhere,” MARTA customer Montanio Huff told the outlet.
“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.
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