Great-grandmother dies in train stabbing in Atlanta, Georgia
A 66-year-old great-grandmother was fatally stabbed on a train in Atlanta, prompting federal charges against John Elijah Matthews. Her daughter is grieving and seeking answers regarding safety on the transit system. Bruce Lebel, a former chairman of the MARTA Steering Committee, plans to address safety issues facing one of the busiest transit systems, especially concerning homeless individuals seeking refuge on trains.
The Trump administration has initiated a federal investigation into the Atlanta transit system following this tragic incident, among others. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Transit Administration will examine the safety protocols at the Atlanta Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), citing an alarming increase in violent events within the system.
“I need answers from Atlanta. The assault, robbery, and sexual assault rates on MARTA trains are over three times the national average,” Duffy stated in a Thursday post on X.
The investigation follows the fatal stabbing of Margaret Swan, who died at the hands of a homeless man while riding a MARTA train.
Authorities report that Matthews, age 25, has been charged federally with assault leading to death on public transportation in the tragic incident. He also faces a local felony murder charge, as confirmed by Fulton County records.
Duffy expressed his belief that families must address safety issues and reaffirmed that no one should feel unsafe while using public transport.
A letter from the FTA to MARTA’s interim CEO, Jonathan Hunt, outlined the audit that will evaluate the authority’s implementation of safety measures, including prevention of assaults against both workers and passengers.
MARTA has reported a striking increase in violent incidents, with the number of serious safety occurrences nearly double the national average since fiscal year 2024. The federal review will also assess MARTA’s strategies for reducing crime and fare evasion, and how they allocate federal funds intended for improving safety.
MARTA has been given a deadline of 15 days to submit requested safety plans and relevant documentation.
The fatal attack occurred on May 30, around 11:25 a.m., while Swan was traveling northbound on a MARTA train from Lakewood Station to Oakland City Station. The account of the events leading up to the tragedy revealed Matthews approached Swan unprovoked, ultimately stabbing her repeatedly in a shocking act that left other passengers alarmed and rallying for help.
Video surveillance captured Matthews entering the train and, moments later, initiating the attack by reaching for a knife. Witnesses reported seeing him attack Swan approximately 18 to 20 times before he fled the scene once the train arrived at the station. After the attack, Matthews discarded the knife and made his way to the platform, where he was apprehended by arriving officers.
As Matthews was taken into custody, he was found with a bloodied knife, and witnesses identified him as the assailant. Despite emergency medical responders’ efforts, Swan was pronounced dead on-site.
The Fulton County coroner noted her death time as 2 p.m. after arriving at 1:45 p.m.
MARTA and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office have been approached for further details.
