Brooklyn group gathers to mourn Katie Suarez, killed on path

A group in Brooklyn gathered collectively to mourn a 28-year-old runner discovered stabbed within the neck on a quiet bike path, and to do something they’ll to assist catch her killer.

A way of loss introduced almost 100 individuals collectively in Tub Seashore Wednesday night time for a vigil honoring Katie Suarez, who was attacked as she ran alongside Shore Parkway on Friday night time.

Authorities consider it was a random assault. Police stated the assailant, who was nonetheless unknown, stabbed Suarez within the neck at the least two occasions as she jogged alongside the waterfront. Investigators stated she was planning on assembly up along with her mother and father alongside the Shore Park Greenway when she was attacked.

Suarez was discovered by her father after she failed to fulfill as much as proceed the run. Her mom, Yasira Suarez, confirmed her daughter died days later from her accidents.

The shock of the violence, left many tears.

“All the time a smile, sweetheart, noticed her simply final week, that is ridiculous they need to do one thing,” stated Frank Petralia, who lives within the neighborhood.

“Katie didn’t deserve one thing like this,” stated Bishop Erick Salgado, who organized the vigil.

The killing has elected officers livid, demanding change. They need new lights within the park, safety cameras, and extra officers on patrol.

Whereas the group seems to do no matter they’ll to assist catch the attacker, detectives nonetheless do not also have a description to work off. They’ve requested the general public for assist.

No particulars have been made publicly obtainable concerning a possible suspect. The NYPD urges anybody who noticed uncommon exercise close to the operating and bike path or the close by Belt Parkway to assist investigators.

The group additionally known as on the NYPD to extend the reward related to catching the killer. As of Wednesday, the reward was at $10,000 for info resulting in an arrest; the group known as for it to be elevated to $50,000.

Police stated stabbing sufferer Katie Suarez had remained in grave situation Sunday night time. Police shared a photograph of her in hopes of gaining ideas within the seek for her attacker.

The incident is eerily just like one other random assault in New York Metropolis a decade in the past. Karina Vetrano went for a run in Howard Seashore in 2016; hours later, her father discovered her useless in Spring Creek Park. The health worker dominated her dying a strangulation. Her attacker was arrested six months later, was tried and convicted.

“You want individuals, people who noticed one thing, people who heard one thing. The extra notoriety, the higher likelihood you should have of fixing it,” stated Vetrano’s father, Phil Vetrano, who provided his help in any method to Suarez’s household. “In the event you want somebody to speak to, you may contact me. I’m in all probability the one one who can truthfully say I do know what you’re going by way of.”

Investigators wish to hear from anybody who seen one thing out of the unusual lower than 40 toes off the Belt Parkway, both Friday night time or in current weeks. Police additionally had been on the lookout for any dashcam footage from rideshare or app-based automobiles that had been within the space Friday night time.

The world the place the assault occurred is extra distant, giving the NYPD much less surveillance video to work with. Police had been utilizing license plate readers to determine drivers round when Suarez was stabbed.

Anybody with info concerning this incident can name the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The general public can even submit ideas by visiting the Crime Stoppers web site or on X @NYPDTips.