Police said the attack happened Saturday near Oakland City Station.
ATLANTA, Ga. — A 66-year-old Atlanta woman was fatally stabbed Saturday on a MARTA train near Oakland City Station, and a 25-year-old man was arrested within minutes, transit police said.
Margaret Swan was killed in what MARTA officials described as an unprovoked attack inside a train car. Police identified the suspect as John Elijah Matthews, who faces murder charges. The killing has drawn new attention to safety on the transit system as riders, relatives and officials press for answers.
Investigators said surveillance video showed Swan sitting alone in train car 134 around 11:25 a.m. when Matthews approached her. An arrest warrant says he pulled a knife from his front pants pocket, grabbed Swan by the head and cut her throat. Police said Swan screamed and tried to get up before she was stabbed about 18 to 20 times. MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher called the killing a “senseless act” and said the two did not appear to know each other.
Officers rushed to the Oakland City platform at about 11:28 a.m. after passengers reported a stabbing and gave a description of the attacker. Police said Matthews was found on the platform wearing an orange shirt. He complied with officers’ commands, and a knife was found nearby. First responders tried to save Swan, but she died from her injuries. Authorities have not said what, if anything, led up to the attack.
Swan’s family described her as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose death left relatives angry and stunned. Her daughter, Shanae Sams, said the family wants to know how the attack happened in the middle of the day on a public train. MARTA officials said Matthews has been permanently banned from all MARTA property in addition to the criminal case.
The case comes as MARTA faces wider questions about crime, staffing and rider safety. The agency operates thousands of security cameras and has its own police force. Officials said they plan to increase police visibility after the stabbing. The death also followed another recent stabbing reported on the transit system, adding pressure on MARTA leaders to explain how they are responding.
Matthews remained in custody as the case moved into Fulton County court. Police said the investigation is continuing, including a review of surveillance video, witness statements and the recovered knife. Court dates and any additional charges had not been announced by Tuesday.
For Swan’s family, the next step is the court process and a fuller account of the minutes before she died. MARTA said riders should expect a stronger police presence while investigators continue their work.
Author note: Last updated June 2, 2026.