Documents show the suspect in the BART stabbing has a lengthy criminal history; previous victim responds to recent arrest

ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) — Just a day after police arrested a man in connection with the stabbing of a 54-year-old woman on a BART train, we’re learning more about the suspect and his lengthy criminal record that stretches across the Bay Area.

Chilling audio from the BART checkpoint illustrates the dire need for first responders just after 8 a.m. on an Antioch-bound train at the 24th and Mission station.

“We need medical attention as soon as possible,” a female voice said on that audio.

Audio from the San Francisco Fire Department indicated that one victim, found to be a 54-year-old woman, had a “cut throat” and that BART police were on scene.

BART police have announced the arrest of a 34-year-old man after he was spotted at the Fruitvale BART station on Sunday. He was taken into custody.

According to ABC7 News Crime Guidelines, the suspect was not named or shown his photo until he was formally charged.

Documents obtained by ABC7 News Monday confirm a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2006, when the suspect was a minor.

He served seven years for a 2014 home invasion robbery in Vallejo in which he used a stolen vehicle. The homeowner, then the mother of twins, told ABC7 News on Monday that she had not heard of the suspect’s latest arrest and was disappointed.

“It was extremely scary, very, very scary…” said Wendy, who asked that only her first name be used. She continued, “Knowing what we went through a long time ago with our robbery, I was really hoping that this would be the end of the story with this person and that they would either be in jail for a long time or on some somehow rehabilitated.”

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But it’s the suspect’s most recent convictions in Alameda County that raise questions.

Records show he was sentenced in 2023 by District Attorney Pamela Price to one day in jail and probation for a 2021 case on a host of charges, including first-degree robbery and selling ammunition to a minor.

In April 2024, the suspect faced 29 charges, including a violent robbery on January 8. He was on probation at the time and the case was dismissed as part of a settlement. The district attorney’s office tells ABC7 News the suspect was released in July 2024 “due to good behavior.”

ABC7 News reached out to BART for more information about the stabbing and was told there was no new information to share.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is expected to receive the BART sting case later this week.