The Trump administration is launching a federal investigation into Atlanta’s troubled transit system after two current stabbings, together with the killing of a 66-year-old girl on a MARTA practice.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned the Federal Transit Administration will audit the Metropolitan Atlanta Speedy Transit Authority (MARTA) over employee and rider security, citing what officers described as alarming charges of violent incidents on the system.
“I would like ANSWERS from Atlanta. The variety of assaults, robberies, and rapes on MARTA’s trains is MORE THAN THREE TIMES the nationwide common,” Duffy wrote in a Thursday X submit.
The probe follows the homicide of 66-year-old Margaret Swan, a great-grandmother, who was repeatedly stabbed to loss of life on an Atlanta practice allegedly by a homeless man.
“Margaret’s household DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY. Nobody needs to be pressured to worry for his or her security on public transit,” Duffy mentioned.
In a June 3 letter to MARTA Interim CEO Jonathan Hunt, the FTA mentioned the audit will study whether or not the company has correctly applied its security plan, together with measures to forestall assaults on transit employees and defend passengers.
The company mentioned MARTA reported one in all solely two transit-worker assault fatalities nationwide in fiscal 12 months 2025 and that its price of significant personal-security incidents has been practically twice the nationwide common since fiscal 12 months 2024.
The federal evaluation may also scrutinize MARTA’s plans to cut back crime and fare evasion, in addition to the way it has spent federal and different funds meant to enhance safety for passengers and employees.
Duffy mentioned that MARTA has 15 days to show over security plans, assault stories, coaching data and different paperwork requested by investigators.
The probe follows two stabbing assaults on MARTA property, together with the deadly assault on the 66-year-old girl and one other stabbing days earlier at a station.
Within the current Swan homicide on Saturday, John Elijah Matthews, 25, of Decatur, Georgia, was charged in a federal prison criticism with committing an act of violence utilizing a harmful weapon with intent to trigger loss of life on a mass transportation system, in response to the US Lawyer’s Workplace for the Northern District of Georgia.
He’s additionally charged regionally with felony homicide, in response to Fulton County data.
Performing Lawyer Common Todd Blanche will decide whether or not the federal government will search the loss of life penalty if Matthews is convicted, prosecutors mentioned.
The lethal assault unfolded round 11:25 a.m. Saturday, Might 30, whereas Swan was using a northbound MARTA practice from the Lakewood Station towards Oakland Metropolis Station, in response to prosecutors and a Fulton County arrest warrant affidavit obtained by Fox Information Digital.
The affidavit, sworn by MARTA Police Detective Douglas Burn, alleges Matthews boarded Practice Automotive 134 at 11:24:59 a.m., carrying glasses, an orange T-shirt with writing on the entrance, darkish grey pants, white socks and black slides.
Swan had boarded the identical practice automobile minutes earlier, at 11:21:46 a.m., and was sitting alone, in response to the affidavit.
Surveillance video allegedly confirmed Matthews stroll to the aspect of the practice the place Swan was seated and stand close to her.
At 11:25:18 a.m., he allegedly moved nearer and stood simply to her proper. Eight seconds later, at 11:25:26 a.m., he allegedly reached into his proper entrance pants pocket, pulled out a knife and opened it, the affidavit states.
At 11:25:32 a.m., Matthews allegedly sliced Swan’s throat along with his proper hand whereas holding her head, in response to the affidavit.
Swan screamed and tried to rise up from her seat, however Matthews allegedly held onto her proper arm and stabbed her roughly 18 to twenty occasions, the affidavit says.
Federal prosecutors mentioned surveillance video confirmed Matthews stabbing Swan roughly 18 to twenty occasions within the chest and neck space as she tried to defend herself.
Different passengers fled and known as for assist, and no less than one passenger confirmed Swan had no interplay with Matthews earlier than the assault, prosecutors mentioned.
The affidavit says Matthews then threw Swan to the ground and stood close to her till the practice arrived at Oakland Metropolis Station at 11:27:05 a.m.
He then allegedly exited the practice with the knife in his proper hand and walked towards the north finish of the platform.
MARTA cops arrived moments later and rushed to apprehend him, in response to the affidavit.
Bolton, who was patrolling the Oakland Metropolis Station concourse, heard a commotion on the platform and noticed patrons pointing towards Matthews, in response to the affidavit.
Bolton allegedly noticed Matthews holding a knife close to the north finish of the platform and ordered him to show over.
Matthews allegedly didn’t comply and was taken into custody after one other officer arrived, the affidavit says.
Prosecutors mentioned Matthews was allegedly discovered with a bloody folding knife and had blood on his garments.
The affidavit says that Matthews “didn’t have an handle presently” and that he suggested he didn’t have a cellphone quantity presently.
First responders tried emergency medical assist, however Swan was pronounced lifeless on the scene.
The affidavit says the Fulton County Medical Examiner arrived on the scene at 1:45 p.m. and recorded Swan’s time of loss of life as 2 p.m.
