ATLANTA, GA — A federal probe into Atlanta's major transit system has been launched after a weekend stabbing killed a 66-year-old great-grandmother.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on Thursday directed the Federal Transit Administration to investigate MARTA, which is under fire after Atlanta woman Margaret Swan was fatally stabbed nearly two dozen times while riding the train on Saturday.
“Margaret Swan was a beloved great-grandmother who was brutally killed in an unprovoked act of senseless violence. Her loss deeply affects her family, friends and our entire community,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a news release.
“Atlantans and the many people who will soon visit for the FIFA World Cup deserve to travel free from fear of a violent attack. We will not tolerate murder and mayhem on MARTA, and anyone who uses a dangerous weapon to seriously injure or kill on public transportation may face swift and unrelenting federal prosecution.”
Swan was heading from Lakewood to Oakland City when she was killed, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Video surveillance captured her sitting near the train's door while looking at her phone, and with 25-year-old Decatur resident John Elijah Matthews standing next to her, federal prosecutors said.
Around 11:30 a.m., they said footage showed Matthews pull out a folding knife from his pocket and stab Swan about 20 times in the chest and neck.
Swan tried to defend herself, and other passengers fled the scene for safety and assistance, prosecutors said.
At least one of the passengers reported Swan not having interaction with Matthews before being attacked, prosecutors said.
The train stopped at the Oakland City station, and MARTA Police quickly arrested Matthews. He had a "bloody folding knife consistent with the knife seen in the surveillance footage and had blood on his clothes," prosecutors said.
Though first responders tried to render emergency medical aid to Swan, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Matthews has been federally charged with committing an act of violence using a dangerous weapon with the intent to cause death on a mass transportation system, prosecutors said.
Fulton County Jail records on Thursday showed Matthews was arrested on a murder charge.
If convicted, Matthews faces the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty, prosecutors said. The decision to seek the death penalty rests with the U.S. Attorney General's Office.
A federal court hearing is scheduled for a later date. The FBI and MARTA Police are investigating the case.
“Margaret Swan was an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination," Marlo Graham, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said in the release. "My hope is these charges will bring justice for her and her family. This crime also impacts everyone who relies on mass transportation to move about their daily lives. Using Atlanta’s train system should be safe and free of violence.”
Six days prior to the killing of Swan, another stabbing reportedly injured a 40-year-old man who was stabbed multiple times at the Georgia State MARTA station.
The FTA was ordered to examine the security spending and safety protocols of MARTA, formally known as the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Duffy also tasked the FTA with reviewing risks to riders and workers.
"Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month. No one should be forced to fear for their safety simply because they choose to ride public transit," Duffy said in a news release.
“From our nation’s capital to Chicago, we’ve made substantial progress in holding systems accountable and enhancing security for transit workers and riders. President (Donald) Trump has made it clear that American families deserve better, and that’s what we are going to deliver in Georgia too.”
The investigation will highlight any systemic conditions that may endanger the public or workers, according to Duffy's office.
MARTA must share the following data with the FTA in 15 days:
According to Duffy's office, MARTA's crime rate as it pertains to rapes, assaults and robberies is almost twice the national average. On the rails, federal officials said the rate is at least three times more than the national average.
During its probe, the FTA will analyze MARTA’s compliance with the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans program and the agency’s response to prior FTA directives regarding transit rider and worker safety.
The FTA will also review the following, per Duffy:
MARTA released a statement to WAGA-TV. It read, in part:
"The safety and security of our customers and employees is our number one priority. Every day thousands of MARTA employees show up to work at our stations, on our buses and trains and in our facilities and offices to keep metro Atlanta moving in a safe and secure manner.
"We welcome the opportunity to share with federal officials the hard work that the MARTA team puts in every day, as well as the significant investments in personnel, technology and operational measures that MARTA has in place to support safety and security across our entire system."
Transit agencies across the U.S. have been overhauled to better promote safety, Duffy's office said.
This included an increase police presence for the Chicago Transit Authority and fresh security measures for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia.
Patch has reached out to MARTA Police for comment.
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