Great-grandmother brutally stabbed to death on Atlanta train in 'random' broad-daylight attack, suspect in custody

A 66-year-old Atlanta woman was fatally stabbed while aboard a MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) train on Saturday in what authorities are calling a random attack. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Margaret Swan.

Swan was attacked and stabbed between the Lakewood-Fort McPherson and Oakland City stations, according to MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher. MARTA officials described the killing as a "senseless act of violence."

John Elijah Matthews, 25, has been charged with malice murder in connection with the brutal stabbing of the 66-year-old great-grandmother, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Security footage shows Swan sitting alone in the MARTA train car around 11:25 a.m. when Matthews approachs her from the right side, pulls a knife out of his pants, and slashes at her throat. Swan screamed and attempted to flee, but Matthews restrained her and continued to stab her about 20 more times. Swan was then thrown to the floor, where Matthews stood beside her until the train pulled into Oakland City Station at roughly 11:27 a.m.

The horrific incident lasted less than three minutes.

Matthews was apprehended by MARTA police a minute later after he deboarded. Swan died on the scene and was pronounced dead by the Fulton County Medical Examiner at 2 p.m. Matthews has been banned from all MARTA properties in addition to the criminal charges he faces.

Shanae Sams, Swan's daughter, said the tragic murder has caused deep distress. "My mother wouldn’t hurt nobody, nobody," Sams said. "For her to be taken like that and nobody helped and y'all heard her screaming."

Sams also raised questions about the security presence during the stabbing. “Where was the security?” she asked.

MARTA defended its security presence, saying it has a dedicated police force of 280 officers that work to protect riders. Matthews has waived his Monday court appearance.

This is the second stabbing in two weeks on MARTA transit systems. According to reporting done by Atlanta News First Authorities say that on Sunday, May 24, a man was stabbed multiple times at a train station and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No further information on that suspect has been released.