A 28-year-old woman was violently attacked while jogging along a Brooklyn bike path on Friday evening, leaving her in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times in the neck. Authorities have identified the victim as Katie Suarez, a runner who had been training for the upcoming TCS New York City Marathon set for Sunday.
The incident unfolded around 8 p.m. near the intersection of Shore Parkway and Bay 17th Street, along the Shore Parkway Greenway. Suarez was running eastbound when she was ambushed, according to police. Her parents had been in contact with her moments before the attack, but contact was suddenly lost, prompting an urgent search that led to her discovery near the scene.
Emergency responders rushed her to NYU Langone Health, where she remains on life support. Police have released a photo of Suarez in her running attire, hoping the public may recognize the attacker. While investigators suspect the assault was random, no motive has been confirmed, and the search for the suspect continues.
Suarez’s family had planned to meet after her shift before she went out for her evening run alone. Her father had been in touch with her when she was about five minutes—roughly half a mile—from the attack site. The sudden loss of contact raised immediate alarm, leading to her swift discovery by her father, who found her lying injured on the path.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the attack or seen Suarez along the Belt Parkway between Bay 8th and Bay 17th Streets around the time of the incident to come forward. A reward of up to $3,200 is being offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. Signs have been posted in the Bath Beach area encouraging tips, and the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline is available for anonymous reports.
The attack has cast a shadow over the marathon preparations, as Suarez was reportedly training diligently for the race. While details about the suspect remain scarce, authorities emphasize the need for public cooperation to bring the perpetrator to justice.
As the city prepares for the marathon this weekend, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of public spaces. The NYPD is treating the case as a priority, appealing directly to witnesses and the broader community for assistance in identifying the attacker before the race begins.
