Police Identify Suspect In Murder of 18-Year-Old Nia Wilson, Officials Say There Is No Information That It Was Racially Motivated

Police have identified the suspect involved in the fatal BART stabbing in Oakland that left an 18-year-old girl dead, and her 26-year-old sister in serious but stable condition. 

According to reports, violent paroled felon, John Lee Cowell is officially wanted in the stabbings of the two women at the MacArthur BART Station. 

In the incident that has since been named “one of the most vicious attacks,” BART officials have seen, 27-year-old Cowell was caught on camera, fatally attacking Nia Wilson and injuring her sister, Lahtifa Wilson. Following the brutal incident, Cowell could also be seen changing his clothes in the BART parking lot, which officials believe to be considered an admission of guilt. 

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“Now it’s a matter of bringing this individual into custody,” BART police said in a press conference. “We are really seeking justice for Nia.” 

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The murder weapon was found at a nearby construction site. In the meantime, officials say the incident was an “unprovoked, unwarranted, vicious,” attack, but a motive remains unclear. 

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“Up to this point we don’t have any information that was race-motivated, but we can’t discard it,” police said.