After Fatal Stabbing, BART Promises Increased Policing

BAY AREA, CA — After an Oakland man was fatally stabbed on a BART train at the transit agency's South Hayward station Tuesday afternoon, increased officer patrols are being promised throughout the BART system.

"Effective immediately, we are increasing the presence of BART police personnel throughout the system," a news release from the transit agency read. "Additional sworn Police Officers, non-sworn Community Service Officers, and Fare Inspectors will be in the system, on station platforms, and riding the trains as a result of posting additional overtime.

"The safety of our customers and employees is, and always will be, our top priority." the release continued.

The Alameda County coroner's bureau on Wednesday identified the stabbing victim as 49-year-old Oliver Williams. The suspect is 39-year-old Jermaine Jeremiah Brim of Sacramento, who was arrested in connection with the stabbing shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday on a Warm Springs-bound train.

BART said in a news release that it appears that Brim and Williams got into a physical confrontation after Brim tried to steal shoes from another passenger who apparently was asleep and Williams intervened when he saw the attempted theft.

Williams took out a knife during his confrontation with Brim, but Brim was able to control the knife and allegedly used it to stab Williams multiple times, according to BART.

Officers were able to get a good description of Brim and arrested him a short time later on Tennyson Road, about a block away from the South Hayward station.

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim," the BART news release read.

BART General Manager Bob Powers and interim police Chief Ed Alvarez "are working in conjunction with the police union to increase visible officer patrols throughout the transit
agency's system," the news release read.

Brim, who is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bail on suspicion of murder and carjacking, tentatively is scheduled to be arraigned at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin at 2 p.m. Thursday.

—Bay City News contributed to this report.