john cowell has been arrested. suspect in the stabbing. >> we understand he was arrested at the pleasant hill b.a.r.t. station a little while ago. now the police chief says he will be holding a news conference at 8:00 this evening to give us an update on the arrest of john cowell. he's a transient with ties to contra costa. he has a long history of arrests and restraining orders against him. he was arrested ironically at the pleasant hill b.a.r.t. station. hith macarthur sta iand have more on newscast as well. let's bring in jeff ranieri and the forecast that will get warmer. >>> we do have hot weather right now and heat beginning to build. let's take you into our micro climate forecast tonight. there's a lot of moving parts for giuliani. we have high pressure sitting across the four corners and that's the main driver behind the heat. it's pumping up thunderstorms through the sierra. the one thing that will keep the heat away, 105 to 110 degree heat would be this system helping to keep the fog going at the coast. l

and got on a train at coliseum"> bart police are examining their security cameras to pin down john cowell's movements bfore, during and after he allegedly fatally stabbed nia wilson and wounded her sister. bart spokesperson alicia trost says cowell was first spotted when he entered the bart system sunday at the concord stationsotthe deadly stabbing occurred at the macarthur station sunday at 9:36pm. however bart police did not alert the public until around noon on monday. trost explains why...sot

sotcarol kincaid talking about murder suspect john cowell... aid says cowell grew up in the concord home across the street, and then lived there off an on as an adult until his arrest for murdersot kincaid says she remembers years ago hearing about a waiter making unkind comments about cowell's grandmother as the two had lunch together. they returned home but cowell went back to the restaurantsot carol kincaid/cowell's neighbor 36-46it turns out cowell has had a long list of arrests and convictionssot scott alonso/ c.c. county d.a's office 53-56the da's office in contra costa county has brought cowell up on charges at least 6 times. following a 2009 assault he plead no contest to 2 counts of batteryin 2013 he plead no contest again to batteryin 2015 he plead no contest to being under the influence of an illegal substanceand then in 2016 he was charged with petty theft, illegal possession of teargas, possession of a smoking device and drug possession . those charges ended up being dismissed following his arrest and conviction for 2nd degree robbe

bart police announced 27 year old john lee cowell was taken into custody...as the family continues to grieve this terrible loss .... chief carlos rojas explains details of the arrest.sotstandupthe community worked alongside police to get the suspect off the streets.again, john lee cowell is in custody ... charges are pending. reporting live from oakland ... ali reid ... kron 4 news. (grant) after this most recent attack many have voiced concerns over safety on bart. there have been a number of highly publicized attacks over the past two years. kron 4's j.r. stone is following that story tonight. j.r. outside of the numerous cell phone robbery cases we have covered... i found four very dangerous cases. three of the four were solved but a past murder was not. this is surviellance video of a murder suspect that happened back on january 9th of 2016. this man is believed to have shot and killed carlos romero of antioch but at last check was never caught. romero was on a stopped bart train when he was allegedly shot by this man several times. bart police insist that romero had some sort of

sotcarol kincaid talking about murder suspect john cowell... kincaid says cowell grew up in the concord home across the street, and then lived there off an on as an adult until his arrest for murdersot kincaid says she remembers years ago hearing about a waiter making unkind comments about cowell's grandmother as the two had lunch together. they returned home but cowell went back to the restaurantsot carol kincaid/cowell's neighbor 36-46it turns out cowell has had a long list of arrests and convictionssot scott alonso/ c.c. county d.a's office 53-56the da's office in contra costa county has brought cowell up on charges at least 6 times. following a 2009 assault he plead no contest to 2 counts of batteryin 2013 he plead no contest again to batteryin 2015 he plead no contest to being under the influence of an illegal substanceand then in 2016 he was charged with petty theft, illegal possession of teargas, possession of a smoking device and drug possession . those charges ended up being dismissed following his arrest and conviction for 2nd degree r

john cowell. we've been talking about him for this entire week.e is being held in jail accused of killing nia wilson and wounding her sister in oakland on sunday. >> number two someone vandalized president trump's star on the hollywood walk of fame overnight. it appears they took a pick ax li a tryin ar 22 million richer this morning. ernie's liquor is in san jose thatumr four, cal i, so issued another flex alert. cut back on electricity use during peak times between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. >> i bet we have another one tomorrow too because the bpatte not going to change. our inland neighborhoods will get warmer today while the rest of us the sea breeze keeps us in the 60s, 70s, 80s. >> number six it's been a decent morning on the roads. still roadwork eastbound 580 into tracy with a couple lanes down until 11:00 and slow on both sides of 580. >> a new way to get around, a new way to segway. company known for its two-wheeled moving platform developing self-balancing roller shoes that cost $400. they're called the segway drift w 1s. >> pretty cool? does

. >> she recorded this video of john cowel. >> i don't think that is him, are you tripping.king at everyone, thinking, that is him. >> reed captured the beginning of the end of a daily day-long man hunt, of the man sus for killing one >> he served time for shoplifting, and paroled in may of this year. prosecutors say he has been mentally evaluated in the past. >> he was evaluated by a doctor in the robbery case in 2016. he was found competent to stand trial. >> reed watched cal closely on the train. sat behind the conductor. two boys approached him and he ran off. saying the "n" word. >> what i heard out of his mouth is something, something. last night. [ bleep ]. >> when the train stopped, the boys notified bart officers. >> then, an unpleasant arrest. >> evil if anything, but not mentally ill. >> he is being held at the jail. scheduled for a court appearance in the morning, we may learn more about the case against him. >>> some passengers are getting nervous of riding on bart after the recent violence. there are plenty of questions surrounding the stabbing death ofnia wils

yesterday police arrested john lee cowell at the pleasant hill station. >> reporter: do you find it concerning it did take 24 hours? that he may have been writing bart during that time? >> we were definitely on the lookout. i know the chief wanted to make absolutely certain he had an ironclad case. >> reporter: it was two separate parts passengers that alerted police john lee cowell was on the train . this photo was taken when he was cited for writing with a ticket july 18. >>'m ve proud e skpture the su >> reporter: even after the stabbing, the president of the bart union says there are reports john lee cowell had been harassing one of the ages. >> we have a lot of frightened ages and passengers. >> reporter: bart has a new policy that allows them to prohibit riders that went into permanency this year. >> nothing is working, it is not protecting us and out is not protecting passengers. >> reporter: three people were killed after violent attacks on arts within the last week. police are looking for the suspect in these surveillance images from ebay fair station center. they say he punched him i

bart police managed to track down john cowell-- all through an anonymous tip from a bart rider.....(grant) the arrest comes after hundreds of people gathered for a vigil for nia wilson at the macarthur bart station where she was killed.(jr stone) kron 4's ali reid joins us live from oakland tonight-- with details on the arrest...ali? bart police say the suspect was arrested without trouble on an antioch bound train at the pleasant hill station. they're still looking for a motive .... right now there's no indication that this stabbing was racially motivated, but police have not ruled it out.surveillance footage and witness statements indicate that john cowell attacked 18 year old nia and her 26 year old sister lahtifah very quickly and without provocation.latifah was stabbed in the neck but is in stable condition recovering at a local hospital.nia passed away at the scene.an anonymous tip is what led police to the suspect this evenig.last night cowell discarded his clothes in a parking structure, which police say shows he was conscious of his guilt.and they believe they've recovered

police say 27-year-old john cowell attacked them with a knife. tifa said cowell stabbed her 18-year-old sister nia in the neck first, and he didn't say a word. >> and i looked back. and he was wiping off his knife and stood at the stairs and just looked. she didn't do nothing to nobody. i didn't do nothing to nobody. and for this to happen is just outright crazy. >> latifa has stitches in her neck from the attack. the third sister has bruises. >> mayor libby schaaf says oakland police are making every resource available to help b.a.r.t. police in their investigation. she says more needs to be done to keep b.a.r.t. riders safe. >> obviously, police presence is only one factor that contributes to a safe environment. so that is our job, to look at all of the different ways that we can create a safe and comfortable environment for all of our commuters. >> the mayor went on to say the arrest of james cowell is the first step in bringing some justice for nia wilson and her family. >> we have more reaction to the b.a.r.t. stabbing on her website and on o

. >> who has been identified now as john cowell, this man, take a look. bart police call him arm and dangerous with good reason, of course. we have team coverage on this story tonight, the sister who was attacked and survives with abc 7 reporter melanie woodrow. >> first, let's hear from amanda with the latest on the investigation. >> yeah, there is -- excuse me, there is an added challenge in this investigation into the they say the man was a transient, meaning he doesn't have a permanent address. also, they say he is a violent felon. 18-year-old nia wilson and her sister boarded a bart train in concord sunday night. bart police say the suspect and victims rode the same train to macarthur bart station. unprovoked, the suspect pulled out a life and attacked the young women. the suspect killed nia and wounded her older sister. >> everything that we've uncovered up to this point, we see no altercation. we don't have any information that there was any type of dispute. >> no reason this should have happened. however, the suspect still managed to get away. chi

john cowell was arrested and charged in the attack. police say it appears to be random. the victim's father is turning his attention to making sure justice is served. >> justice is seeing that the perpetrator is prosecuted to the full extent. i will never see my daughter again. she will never be able to pursue her dreams. no parent ever wants to go through what i'm going through right now. >> reporter: he said he did want to thank the community for all of the support saying it is helping give the family strength during this impossibly difficult time. live in oakland, amy hollyfield, abc 7 news. >>> after a week of violent crime, b.a.r.t. is urging everyone to install the b.a.r.t. watch app on the phone allowing you to take a photo of an incident and file a report with b.a.r.t. you can report things like people urinating on trains or drug use. b.a.r.t. says call the police if there is no time to use the app. we put together a list of things you can do to try to stay safe while riding b.a.r.t. you can find it at abc7news.com. >>> another big story this morning, scorching h

if you do see john lee cowell, police say do not approach him. he is considered armed and dangerous. if you do see him, please dial 911. melissa colorado, nbc bay area news. >> now the search is catching the attention of a famous bay area singer. kay lawny posting, you manage to catch those who dodge ticket fare. you can catch a murder. she called it a hate crime. right now they don't really know what the suspect's motive was. >>> there is a lot happening with this story. john lee cowell has a long history and many of his problems start at home. a couple years ago in 2015 his family asked for a restraining order against him. they say he entered their home several times without permission while on drugs. in 2016, another restraining order, an employee at the rich mopp month kaiser siaid he threatene her life. he used a box cutter and replica gun to rob a store and got out of state prison in may. three killings in five days at b.a.r.t. stations. a lot of commuters are not only concerned but demanding action from b.a.r.t. three separate attacks. thr

bart police revealing more about how they were able to track down john lee cowell. the man accused of stabbing and killing 18-year-old nia wilson. now john lee cowell.. is waiting to find out the charges he is facing. he was caught while sitting on a bart train. police say cowell seemed surprised when they boarded and asked to speak with him about the violent fatal stabbing of 18 year old nia wilson and the attack on her sister. z, bart police dept. he was very calm, sitting on the train, he voluntered to get off, no use of force, and did not find any weapons. deputy chief alvarez. once we was in custody, and jail, he asked for a lawyer. > (grant) as for (grant) as for charges... police say they are working with the alameda county d-a's office for one count of murder and assault with a deadly weapon. but they may ask for attempted murder for the other attack on nia wilson's sister lahtifa. (vicki) for the first time we are hearing from the family of the deadly bart stabbing suspect john cowell... (grant) his family is talking about the mental illness which they say w

and got on a train at coliseum"> bart police are examining their security cameras to pin down john cowell's movements bfore, during and after he allegedly fatally stabbed nia wilson and wounded her sister. bart spokesperson alicia trost says cowell was first spotted when he entered the bart system sunday at the concord stationsotafter bart police released these photos of john cowell investigators received their first tip from a male passenger who spotted him at the coliseum station. trost admits it was a bit of a surprise to learn that he was back on the trainssot

john lee cowell was caught while sitting on a bart train on monday. another passenger recognized him and called police. police say cowell attacked wilson and her sister sunday night. police believe they have the murder weapon... which was found at a nearby construction site. they're now running d-n-a tests. authorities revealed the details of cowell's arrest yesterday. ( robin ) cowell does have a criminal history in contra costa county. he's been brought up on charges at least 6 times. those charges included assault and battery. ( robin )and for the first time we are hearing from the family of john cowell.... and the mental illness they say he was diagnosed with. kron4's haziq maadyun has more.. in a story you'll see only here on kron4. a woman who described herself as john cowell's aunt told me

the suspect is identified as 27-year-old john lee cowell....a transient from the oakland-emeryville area. police say cowell stabbed 18-year-old nia wilson to death and injured her sister. right now investigators are trying to determine what led to the attack. police are asking anyone who may know cowell.. or where he is... to please call them. they are warning the public not to approach him.. as he could be armed and dangerous. ... (grant) this investigation has many people talking about the safety of bart. it's one of several attacks that have made headlines in the last two years.(vicki) kron 4's j.r. stone is following this story in the newsroom tonight. j.r. you've been sorting through past cases... what have you found? (j.r.)i've spent the afternoon digging and narrowed it down to four brutal attacks. three of the four have been solved but the most serious one is unsolved today. this is surviellance video of a murder suspect that happened back on january 9th of 2016. this man is believed to have shot and killed carlos romero of antioch but

today transient john cowell was been charged with one count of murder for killing wilson and one count of premeditated attempted murder. that crime happening sunday night on the platform at oakland's mac-arthur bart station...a motive...still being determined. but the pain is profound for the victim's father. (grant) the d.a. says the two charges both carry life sentences, and she says additional charges could come if they find evidence. cowell did not enter a plea and the arraignment was continued to august 22nd. cowell's family says he's battled bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia...but the d-a says she's confident

he didn't have any other weapons. >> reporter: a news group is reporting that john cowell actually went back to the crime scene where nia wilson was killed . bar police say they are still trying to piece together and trees all of cowell's steps during that 24- hour period. again, cowell is doing court this morning here in oakland at 9:00 to face first-degree murder and a chart -- assault charges. allie rasmus, ktvu fox 2 news . >>> new images have been released for man wanted on a deadly attack. bart says the suspect punched a 47-year-old and the victim fell and hit his head on the cement platform. he was taken to the hospital where he died. if you have any information on this man, call bart police. >>> it is 7:04. oakland police are investigating the death of a man in a neighborhood near the open, cm. investigators rushed to a complex on 65th avenue during the night. please confirm the person who died was an adult but that's about all they are saying right now. a tow truck that was called in by the police took away a silver four-door lexus as you can see here. investigators aren't sayi

even so accused murderer john cowell was able to escape after taking nia's life. ama dates, abc 7 news. >> we want to hear your concerns so we can follow up with bart officials reviving the #dearbart which we launched five years ago during the bart strike. use it when you post your comments on twitter or facebook so we can find them and hopefully get answers for you. >>> plastic straws and containers may soon be gone at restaurant and bars in san francisco. the board of supervisors has approved an ordinance banning businesses from providing straws, stirrers and toothpicks and customers would have t like packets and nap skins unless at a self-serve station. it faces a second vote next week. if it passes and mayor breed signs it into law it would take effect next july. opponents are concerned about disabled people who need straws to sip drinks. >>> a hearing will begin to determine if a north bay school district can prevent a 5-year-old girl from bring cannabis school to her. the press democrat reports the girl has a rare form of epilepsy that causes frequent and lo

two of her sisters were on their way home from a family gathering saturday night when 27-year-old john cowellacked them with a knife. latifah says cowell stabbed her 18-year-old sister nia in the neck first and he didn't say a word. >> i look back, and he was wiping off his knife and stood at the stairs and just looked. she didn't do nothing to nobody. i didn't

they were here, of course, for john cowell's first court appearance. cameras were not allowed in court, but a sketch artist was. cowell's arraignment got put over to august 22nd. also a 2016 misdemeanor charge against him was vacated to allow for a speedy trial in this case. nia wilson's mother said she wants bart to do more. >> they need to -- my baby died on a slab, man. i don't want it to happen to nobody else. >> we haven't alleged a hate crime. we're still investigating and gathering evidence to see. there has to be evidence to show it was motivated by hate, and in this case whether it was motivated by gender or race. >> reporter: cowell is facing murder charges in connection with nia wilson's stabbing death and premeditated, deliberated attempting murder for allegedly stabbing her sister latifa wilson. both charges carry life sentences. when asked, district attorney of mallee said she is not concerned that cowell will not be competent to stand trial. she said she believes he will be competent to stand trial. she wouldn't comment on the evidence. b

bart police are examining their security cameras to pin down john cowell's movements , before, during and after.. he allegedly fatally stabbed nia wilson and wounded her sister. authorities say, cowell was first spotted when he entered the bart system sunday at the concord station. the deadly stabbing occurred at the macarthur station sunday at 9-36 p.m. after bart police released these photographs of john cowell... police found and arrested him at the coliseum station. ( robin ) we have continuing coverage of this story on air and online. we send push alerts through our mobile app as soon as there are new developments. ( robin )in national news... today is the deadline for the government to reunify immigrant families who were separated at the u-s border. earlier this week, the federal judge overseeing the case said he expected the government would essentially meet the deadline. however, the a-c-l-u suggests the crisis is not over. reporter andrew spencer explains. once held separately in detention, more than one- thousand families have been reunited, after being separated at the u-s/

this is video one woman took of john cowell. this is monday night at the coliseum bart station. she recognized him as the man bart police were looking for and immediately had a reaction to seeing him. >> i don't know. he gave me a feeling in my stomach. i don't know. just it was something. i guess call it intuition. >> reporter: he is accused of stabbing 18-year-old nia wilson to death sunday night at the macarthur bart station as she tried to transfer trains. police say the attack was unprovoked and they haven't figured out a motive. nia's sister was stabbed and she later said they did not know the man who attacked them. cowell will face a murder charge and assault with a deadly weapon charge. he is in jail and bail has not been set. live in oakland, amy hollyfield, abc 7 news. >>> bart police are looking for a man behind another deadly attack that happened in san leandro and take a look at the new surveillance images. police say this man punched another man on the bay fair station platform on saturday. that victim hit his head and later died at the hospital. >>> after a week o

cowell's mugshot. ( will )bart police say the suspect was arrested without incident on a bart train.the train was heading to antioch ... it all went down at the pleasant hill station.27 year old transient johneets.the manhunt started sunday night, but it was an anonymous tip that led police to him. police are still looking for a motive .... right now there's no indication that this stabbing was racially motivated, but police have not ruled it out. surveillance footage and witness statements indicate that cowell attacked 18 year old nia and her 26 year old sister lahtifah very quickly and without provocation. nia passed away at the scene. latifah was stabbed in the neck but is in stable condition recovering at a local hospital. ( james ) stay connected to kron4 all morning for any new developments. we will also post all the new information on our website kron4.com and send out push alerts when big news breaks. ( james ) breaking news... we are just learning that the worker who was killed during the hostage situation at trader joses.. was hit by an officers bullet. the los angeles police chief told media this morning. that store worker -- melyda corado -- was killed. police say it all started

of the wilson sisters were on their way home for a family gathering when police say 27-year-old john cowell attacked them stabbing 18-year-old nia in the neck. >> she was yelling my name, tifa, i said, i got you. >> reporter: she says cowell didn't say a word. >> i looked back, and he was wiping off his knife and stood at the stairs and just looked. from there on i was caring for my sister. >> reporter: nia passed away at the scene and first responders took latifah to the hospital and cowell swung at her second. >> missed the artery, thank god. missed the vein. it's pretty deep. he tried to swing twice, he hit me in my head, so i have a knot. >> reporter: she said she and her sister rarely took bart. tonight, the family is consoling one another and asking why. letifah said nia had big dreams for a career in criminal justice and dance studio and her own makeup line. her nickname was p.g., short for pretty girl. >> that was her. she had to be on point. >> reporter: a senseless brutal attack as sisters did what thousands of bart riders do daily. >> i just want justice for my sister. >> reporte

john lee cowell was caught while sitting on a bart train on monday. another passenger recognized him and called police. police say cowell attacked wilson and her sister sunday night. police believe they have the murder weapon... which was found at a nearby construction site. they're now running d-n-a tests. authorities revealed the details of cowell's arrest yesterday. ( lydia ) cowell does cowell does have a criminal history in contra costa county. he's been brought up on charges at least 6 times. those charges included assault and battery. we also spoke with a woman who described herself as cowell's aunt. she did not want to speak with us on camera but she did tell us that cowell suffers from mental illness. the court hearing is this morning at 9 a.m. i'm heading to the court now. i'll have an update on what happe

down john lee cowell last night. officers confronted john lee cowell and said he gave them his name and id and was arrested without incident. desiccator say john lee cowell is a transient -- investigators say john lee cowell is a transient. >> this is about the justice for nia wilson, her sister lahtifa wilson, and their family. >> is accused of attacking nia wilson at the -- he is accused of attacking nia wilson at the bart at form. authorities say he stabbed him seriously injured her sister, lahtifa wilson, who has been released from the hospital. the police chief called one of the most vicious he has ever seen. investigators are still investigating whether race was a factor in the killing. >>> families and friends of nia wilson her honoring her life and remembering her as being beautiful and loving. ktvu's reporters at the bart station now. there is a memorial out there for nia wilson. >> reporter: we have seen many people on their way into macarthur bart station, stopping to take in the memorial and take a look at

police say 27-year-old john cowell attacked them with a knife. l stabbed her 18-year-old sister nia in the neck first, and he didn't say a word. >> and i looked back, and he was wiping off his knife and stood at the stairs and just looked. she didn't do nothing to nobody. i didn't do nothing to nobody. and for this to happen is just outright crazy. >> latifah has stitches in her neck from the attack, and their other sister who was there suffered bruises. >> meanwhile, oakland mayor libby schaaf says oakland police are making every resource available to help b.a.r.t. police in their investigation. she says more needs to be done to keep b.a.r.t. passengers safe. >> obviously, police presence is only one factor that contributes to a safe environment. so that is our job, to look at all of the different ways that we can create a safe and comfortable environment for all our commuters. >> she says the arrest of james cowell is the first step in bringing justice for nia wilson and her family. we have more reaction to this b.a.r.t. stabbing on our website,

. >>> we are learning more about the suspects past that authorities say john lee cowell has previously been arrested for vandalism, burglary, theft, trespassing, open charges, assault with a deadly weapon, stealing a vehicle, shooting into a dwelling, felony assault, and drug charges. let's get to juliette goodrich who is live at the station this evening. >> reporter:isthan 1000 people are expected to attend. they have city council members, and the family who ce e learnin suspects, they are passing out flyers of this suspect at large. her mother is here, earlier today we spoke to her at her home. late this afternoon the mother of mia wilson showed up at a rally where her daughter was killed. she was consoled by family and friends and the community of support. we spoke with her at her home earlier as she was processing the heartbreaking reality that her daughter is gone. >> this man just came and did all this to my baby. my baby. my baby. she didn't deserve this. >> reporter: police released a photo of the suspect, he is john cavil, a transient who is on probation. he has short dark hai

. >> reporter: he hopes the arrest of john lee cowell is the first step in healing for the heartbroken family of nia wilson. stabbed to death as two of her sisters switched trains. the attack was unprovoked. >> very dangerous not only in the bart system but throughout the community. we're ecstatic to have him in custody. >> reporter: he was arrested at the pleasant hill station on an antioch bound train. the train was stopped and searched after a tip from a rider. his face have been publicized since noon. >> they asked him his name.

cowell, and we held the train at pleasantville, where officers detained him, confirmed his identity, and booked him into the jail. re/max the suspect, 27-year-old john lee cowell, into the jail without further didn't, he turned over identification when asked. >> he asked what was going on, we asked him to step off the train, he might match somebody you're looking for, voluntarily got off, and volunteered his california id card, we confirmed his identification. and placed them into handcuffs.>> reporter: he has not made statements about the killing, instead asking for an attorney, working on charges with the district attorney's office, homicide and assault with a deadly weapon, charges they could be amended to attempted murder. he had previously been cited for not having proof of payment, the paperwork was on him at the time of the arrest. confirming that cabell is in administrated -- cowell is an administrative detention. and administrative segregation. >> a long, extensive history of this history -- access -- he has an extensive history, that's part of the reason that we haven't segregated, as will of the seriousness of the crime. >> reporter: he i

. >>> court records indicate that john cowell, the man accused in the attack at the bart station is being held at the santa rina jail in dublin. they tracked him down on a train bound for antioch. and arrested him at the pleasant hill barttransient and for evading fares. >> this is really about the justice for nia wilson, her sister latifah and their family. >> cowl is accused of coming up behind nia wilson and stabbing and killing her. he also stabbed nia's sister who is in critical condition. authorities are still investigating whether race was a factor. >>> family and friends of nia wilson were met by total strangers to honor her. allie rasmus is there at the macarthur bart station at a memorial that's been set up for nia wilson. >> reporter: many people have walked by and stopped to gaze at the photos and look at the handwritten notes. this display has grown over the past 24 hours. the memorial is to honor and remember 18-year-old nia wilson. wilson a after exiting the train. the violent attack has shaken the community. and hundreds of people joined wilson's grieving family for a vigi

. >>> court records are indicating that john cowell the man wanted for deadly attack at the bart station is being held at the jail in dublin. they tracked down john lee cowell on a train headed for antioch. they arrested him at the pleasant hill bart station. officers confronted him. he gave them his name and i.d. and he was arrested without incident. he's a known fare evader and a transient. and that's likely how he was riding bart. >> this is about the justice for nia wilson and her sister latifah and their family. >> reporter: he's accused of coming up behind wilson and stabbing and killing her. he also stabbed her sister. bart's police chief called it s they are investigating where race was a factor. >>> people gathered at a vigil at the macarthur bart station. they say the senseless violence has left them outraged and silenced. >> we are all one village! >> family, friends, and strangers came together to remember nia wilson. they describe her as an angel. those at the rally held hands in a healing circle. >> i feel -- in them coming out to help me pursue justice for my daughter. tha

john cowell was charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly stabbing her sister latifa who survived the attack. it occurred sunday night in oakland. cal has a long rap sheet. he was on parole at the time of the stabbing. later today john cowell will be in a dublin courtroom facing charges for a parole violation. >>> prosecutors have charged a stabbing suspect with murder after the victim died from an infected stab wound. the attack occurred last week at the pleasant hill bart station. police say the 20-year old attacked a 51-year old man with a knife during an argument. he was stabbed on his knee and later found dead at his home in pittsburgh when the wound became infected. he was one of three people who died after at occasions at bart last week. another victim was 47-year old don stevens who was punched at the tion on saturday. he hit his head on the platform and died from injuries. police still searching for his attacker. >>> time is 5:08. police arrested two men in a coin store burglary and looking for two other suspects. police arrested a 25-year old man of los angeles

dozens of family and friends of victim nia wilson showed up to see defendant john cowell in person. sunday nights vicious murder of 18 year old nia wilson at oakland's mcarthur bart station has caused unimaginable pain for her familysot amsar el muhammad/victim's father 08-18 my daugther was everything to me she was so beautiful, so inspirational, she had dreams, i'm supposed to be plannin gher graduation not her funeral and all i want is justice for my daughters. wednesday family and friends filled an oakland courtroom for the arraignment of the man accused of stabbing her to death. john cowell has with on murder for killing wilson and one count premeditated attempted murder for the stabbing of her 26 year old sister letifah... ksot nancy o'malley/alameda county district attorney 40-50it's a very very troubling case, its a brutal horrific murder and attempted murder and so for our whole community, it's an awful situation and that's why we are treating it with the seriousness we havethe d.a. says the two charges both carry life sentences, and she says additional come if they find ev

be on the look for this man, john lee cowell. the pd says he's a transient meaning he doesn't have a permanent address and adds another challenge. they stopped him just eight days prior. 18-year-old niya and letifah wilson boarded the bart station. unprovoked the suspect pulled out a knife and killed niya and wounded her older sister. mostus attacks i've seen. >> reporter: police chief, carlos rohoff says they were already patrolling when the attack happened and however the suspect still managed to get away and they found the knife used to kill nia at a construction site. in the past, bart has been criticized for its use of fake decoy cameras and failure to solve serious crimes. but they say the cameras are now working and helped provide another look at the suspect. they side john lee cowell for not having a proof of payment. >> the fact we had an image just killer week of thespt, sht beut on the streets. d coerd ighbor18-year-old said doesn't know nia but feels connected by age. she said at this point in their life they shouldn'

john cowell has been charged with her murder and the attempted murder of her sister, who survived the police say john cowell has a long criminal record and was told from state prison two -- and was patrolled from state prison two months ago. >>> he shredded to police. he arrested -- this man surrendered to police. he had killed don stevens. he punched stevens and he then fell to the ground and hit his head on a cement platform. he was taken to hospital, where he later died. >>> recent violence has led to a vote -- a group of 20 men to take action. they are offering to walk bart passengers to your car. they stand here two hours a day, with signs explaining what they are doing. they say they're violating safety policies because it had not been able to certify who is providing that service. volunteers say they understand that they are a -- but they're hoping to work with bart to make people feel safer. >>> a man has hundreds of job offers. he had a sign that said homeless, hungry for success. he moved to the bay area from texas several months ago, seeking a tech job but ran out of money.

of course john lee cowell will be arraigned tomorrow morning here in oakland. he faces a murder charge as well as assault with a deadly weapon. that courtroom tomorrow morning. i'marea news. >>> now you'll hear from the woman who found herself right next to the man accused of killing nia. minutes before police arrested him. only on nbc bay area, details of her close encounter with a suspected murderer. >> to have the killer that close to my on b.a.r.t. and know that he made a random attack on an african-american female, i feel like i could have been nia wilson. >> bri spearman was taking b.a.r.t. home from work yesterday when she says john lee cowell boarded the antioch-bound train and stood right next to her. she saw his picture on social media and immediately recognized cowell. she says she called police while trying not to call attention to herself as she recorded the arrest on her cellphone. she says she was surprised how peacefully cowell was arrested. >> we shouldn't have encounter accused of such a horrific stabbing. cowell set to be arraigned tomorrow m

show you mug shot of john cowell. team coverage this afternoon. is with the family, but we'll vin with vic lee who has more on the suspect. >> reporter: we do not know what cowell's juvenile record is, but it's clear from his adult record that he's been in and out of trouble since he was 18. john lee cowell, just 27 years old, already with a long rap sheet. when he was 18, his criminal record included misdemeanor drug offenses, obstruction of a peace officer, and assault. on the assault charge he was quicked and released on probation. when he was 22, he was convicted of battery. two years later in 2015, another conviction for using drugs. then in 2016, more misdemeanor charges. this time at the target store in contra costa county. cowell was caught shoplifting and carrying drug paraphernalia. scott alonzo says police also found him with this. >> a tear gas canister, i believe he was found with. >> in may 2016, his most serious crime back then, second degree robbery at lucky in el >> the loss prevention officer attempted to confront and detain, and

that suspect last has been identified as 27-year-old john lee cowell.ho police say is a violent felon on patrol. earlier today they did find what they called the murder weapon at a construction site not far from the bart station. >> here we see some recent pictures of cowell. the one on the bottom screen is the most recent. this image from a bart police officer's body camera. the police chief said it was a random, unprovoked killing. he has no doubt in his mind that the death of 18-year-old nia wilson is in fact related to this. we'll have more for you on ktvu.com. ,, dr. oz: today, the hidden health benefits of vinegar vinegar vinegar you haven't heard. >> it can boost your energy. and seat new powerhouse vinegar that may take over. >> a vaccine that targets and eliminates cancer tumors. you are going to hear it for the first time today. >> it kind and kills cancer like it is an infection. >> coming up next. dr. oz: are you ready to save some lives today? >> yeah! >> i love you, dr. oz. [cheers and applause]

he looked calm and quickly answered the judge's questions. 27-year-old john cowell no longer wore the bandages on his face that were visible last week. this parole violation hearing came after cowell was charged with murder and attempted murder. he was released from jail about four months ago after spending two years in prison. another hearing on that was scheduled for tomorrow morning. cowell's next court appearance for the murder of nia wilson and the attempted murder of her sister will come on august 22 >> no pol deadly triple shooting in antioch early this morning. bullets flew in t of an applebee's restaurant. >>> happening now a group of mothers is holding a three day hunger strike in oakland over the white house's separation policy. called mom's rising they're outside the federal building on clay street downtown. they claim hundreds of children still need to be reunited with their families. >> so this is a way of unifying all across the nation to say that we will not accept this type of trauma and terror being inflicted upon people. >> organizers say other strikes are planned t

i'm going miss that makeup. >> john cowell's arraignment got put over, but not before wilson's family got a chance the see him face-to-face, i don't want to hear he was crazy. he ain't that. he is playing crazy. >> it's a brutal, horrific murder and attempted murder. >> alameda county district attorney nancy o'malley wouldn't comment on the evidence, but says she believes cowell will be competent to stand trial. according to the charging documents, cowell discarded his backpack with items that had his name and date of birth. o'malley said her office is still investigating whether the stack was a hate crime. >> there has to be evidence to show that it was motivated by hate, and in this case whether it was motived by their gender or by their race. we're still gathering evidence to look at that. >> justice, whatever it is, i don't know, but he still get to breathe. >> my daughter was everything to me, you know. she was so beautiful, so inspirational, had dreams, you know. i'm not supposed to -- i'm supposed to be planning her graduation, not her funeral. >> the family is calling on bart

she was killed when she stepped off the bart train and john cowell has been charged with her murder. he has also been attempted -- charged with attempted murder. he has a long criminal record and was paroled from state prison just two months ago. >>> they are expected to vote on whether to place a cannabis tax on the november ballot. if approved, it would take effective in 2021. -- it would take effect in 2021. they reportedly opposed the measure, saying it may hurt the legalization of the cannabis industry. >>> they will also consider amending the planning code to ban marijuana shops in chinatown. the band was unanimously approved earlier this month by the land-use and trepidation committee. since -- and transportation committee. since then, they have overwhelmingly approved dispensaries. those worry about -- there are those who worry about the president that could -- worried -- were about what could happen. >> it happened last thursday in fairfield. they say the deputy has been reassigned to a job that does not require a gun. a spokesperson also says deputies are trained properly t

police stopped the train. >> the train was searched and officers located john lee cowell. he was detained for a while at the pleasant hill station and has since been transported to the bart police department. >> reporter: police say he got on with the three young sisters arriving at the station, and he randomly attacked two women, slashing nia wilson wilson's neck, killing her. her sister latifa wilson was wounded. he's described as a transient with a violent past. he's been arrested for a multitude of crimes from burglary to assault, weapons and drug charges, even for shooting into a dwelling. in october 2016 he began serving a sentence for a robbery in contra costa county and was released in may of 2018. he also has two restraining orders against him, one from a woman in concord and another from kaiser permanente. police say race does not appear to be a factor but it's still a possibility. >> while we don't have any facts that suggest he's connected with a white supremecist group, we'll explore all options and all possibilities. >> protesters packed the bart station last

relatives of the victims packed the courtroom to get a glimpse of accused killer, john lee cowell. cameras weren't allowed inside and cowell was not visible behind a partition. he spoke only once to confirm that he did not object to the case being delayed. on sunday night, cowell, for no apparent reason, stabbed nia wilson and her sister as they were getting off a bart train in oakland. nia wilson died. her sister survived. after the stabbing, investigators say cowell took off his clothes and left his backpack behind in a parking structure. inside the backpack were items with his name and date of birth. on monday evening, bart riders spotted him on a train and police arrested him without incident. the d.a. charged cowell with murder and attempted murder in the attack. he also faces charges for using a knife, which was recovered by police at a nearby construction site. the district attorney says at this point there is no evidence of a hate crime and that a motive is still unknown. she called the killing, vicious, brutal and ruthless. >> i think it is a very troubling case. it is a b

the suspect, john cowell did not enter a plea to first degree murder charges. he remains in custody. investigating whether or not the stabbing is a hate crime. cowell is going to be formally arraigned next month. police have not released a motive to the unprovoked attac c against mia and her sister. here's what she posted on instagram speaking directly to white people. she telds them all black people fear for their lives in america and have done so for generations. white people do not have the quivalence for this fear. >>> new developments for the intensifying search for a missing iowa college student with bay area ties. investigators are hoping her social media accounts may provide clues to what happened when she disappeared a week ago in iowa. authorities believe she may have been kidnapped while she was jogging. special agent brad garret talked to paul feriss about what kind of information authorities could fiend through her tech accounts. >> it could be enormous as far as who did she have contact with less, where can they >> the sheriff says her boyfriend i

the suspect john cowell has been charged with murder. the district attorney is investigating whether it was a hate crime. >>> if it seems like you've been spending more time waiting for the bus, you're not alone. there have been long waits in san francisco for the past several months. >> reporter: roberto takes the bus every day but he says the past few months catching the bus has been tough. it's so packed where you just can't really have the opportunity to get on. sometimes you're waiting for three buses before you get in. >> we have been working on this since about march. the numbers started to increase as far as operator unavailability. >> reporter: paul rose says the transportation agency has a shortage of bus drivers. they have 40 operator openings but they're struggling to train existing employees. >> we have to train on the new vehicles, we have to train operators on the new radio system, we have to train operators to run the bus shuttles. >> when new operators apply, they sort of have a false reality of what it is to be a bus op

bart police tracked down john cowell...and arrested him after receiving an anonymous tip from a bart rider... kron 4's ali reid has the details on the arrest. bart police say the suspect was arrested without incident on a bart train.the train was heading to antioch ... it all went down at the pleasant hill station.pkg27 year old transient john lee cowell is now off the streets.he needs to be punished for what he's done to nia and her sisterthe manhunt started sunday night, but it was an anonymous tip that led police to him. all i want is justice for my daughterspolice are still looking for a motive .... right now there's no indication that this stabbing was racially motivated, but police have not ruled it out. surveillance footage and witness statements indicate that cowell attacked 18 year old nia and her 26 year old sister lahtifah very quickly and without provocation. nia passed away at the scene. latifah was stabbed in the neck but is in stable condition recovering at a local hospital.i know from my sister who survived, that she said he came up behind them and started stabbing fo