Atlanta, GA
Victim, suspect identified in deadly Atlanta train stabbing
A woman was fatally stabbed on a MARTA train near the Oakland City Station on May 30, 2026. (FOX 5)
ATLANTA – A 25-year-old man is accused of fatally stabbing an Atlanta woman on a MARTA train at the Oakland City Station on Saturday.
What we know:
John Elijah Matthews is charged with murder in the death of 66-year-old Margaret Swan.
MARTA police officers were called to the train for a stabbing around noon.
Police officers arrested Matthews immediately near the train after several witnesses saw the violent act take place. Emergency medical workers attempted life-saving efforts, but Swan died on the scene.
“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 said in an official statement. The agency stated that its police force is actively investigating the matter.
Woman stabbed to death on Atlanta MARTA train; 1 arrested
What we don’t know:
Investigators have not yet confirmed what happened in the moments leading up to the attack or whether Swan and Matthews knew each other beforehand.
Dig deeper:
Public transit passengers have expressed growing fear following the weekend killing. Another person survived a separate stabbing at the Georgia State MARTA station last weekend, leaving commuters worried about system security.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office and MARTA police. Additional information comes from prior FOX 5 reporting.