that's coming from latifah wilson.aid about her sister, nia. >> latifah was also stabbed and she still has no idea why. wilson says she and two of her sisters were on their way home from a family gathering sunday night. that's when b.a.r.t. police say 27-year-old john cowell attacked 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. >> 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 jo

by phone today, stabbing victim latifah wilson, the sister of nia wilson told me that she and family members were shocked that cowell was still riding bart when he was arrested. the family had planned to get together today to make funeral arrangements for nia. yet latifah wilson described what she said to her sister in the final moments of her life. >> i love her and we're going to get through this. i got you. you're my baby sister. she was my heart. no matter our ups and downs, we still make each other come back to each other like it was nothing. love and caring and help anybody and everybody >> and the lingering question from this family is why. what was the motive, why did this happen. that is what they are continuing to ask. they say that they do plan on attending cowell's arraignment, which is scheduled for tomorrow. live in oakland, melanie woodrow, abc 7 news. >> all right. melanie, thank you so much. and wilson's death is the third in five days on a bart train or at a bart station. about an hour ago, bart police released these new pictures of a suspect in another recent deadl

that's what latifah wilson told us about her sister, nia. latifah was also stabbed and still has no idea why. wilson said she and two of her sisters were on their way home from a family gathering saturday night when 27-year-old john cowell attacked 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 do nothing to nobody. and for this to happen is just outright crazy. >> you can see the bandages on her neck. that's because she has stitches there from the attack, and the third sister who was involved in this suffered bruises. >> we have more reaction to this b.a.r.t. stabbing on our website. abc7news.com and on the abc 7 news app. you can also watch the vigil for nia wilson and an appeal from her stepfather for calm in the community. siend up for push alerts to get updates on the investigation and any breaking news as it happens. >>> okay, it's now 4:

latifah was also stabbed and still has no idea why. wilsond she and two of her sisters were on their way home from a family gathering saturday night when 27-year-old john cowell attacked 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

latifah wilson was wounded. then the suspect took off his clothes and disappeared into the night. this afternoon police put out an alert for the suspect, a resident of concord, a transient with a violent past. he's been arrested for a multitude of crimes over much of the last decade, he was even arrested for shooting into a dwelling. in october 2016 he began serving a prison sentence for a robbery in contra costa county. he was released in may of 2018, just two months ago. and he has two restraining orders against him. what was the motive for the murder? it's still unclear. there was no argument, no words exchanged at all. police say race doesn't appear to be a factor, but it's still a possibility. >> we don't take anything off the table. while we don't have evidence to suggest he's connected to a white supremacist group, we'll look at all possibilities. >> reporter: when police boarded the train they asked the sufor his id, he quietly gave it to him, and they peacefully arrested him. a bright spot in a dark day. joe vazquez, kpix 5. >>> meanwhile tonight protesters gathered at th

her sister also a stabbing victim in this attack, latifah wilson, told me she and her sisters rarely took bart. >> they don't ride bart, she hated bart, she would not sit on bart, she will just stand there. she will not catch bart only if we really have to go somewhere. we just coming from a family function, you know, and going on our way home like we usually -- don't talk to nobody, just listening to our music. and all of a sudden we transfer and just to get blindsided by a maniac. for what? i don't know why. >> reporter: and that is the lingering question that this family has, why? back live now, we do want to show you that memorial. i know you weren't able to see that just a moment ago because of the video running. you can see here a number of candles, flowers, notes for this family, posters that say rest in peace, nia, and a lot of calls for justice. again, the family says that this has been quite an ordeal for them. and mostly because they really don't understand the motive. that is their big question is why. they do tell me that they are planning on attending cowell's arraignme

they say cowell stabbed two sisters, nia and latifah wilson. 18-year-old nia died. ster, latifah, survived. she does have injuries to her neck. >>> okay, taking a look at the ron a trouble spot. we just had a crash moved off to the east lot there, so that is our second crash of the morning, just before the metering lights. longer than average backup into the maze this morning and a little bit of better news t east bay, southbound in alamo, an earlier crash is gone, but you're backed up into walnut creek. you know when you're at ross shopping for backpacks... ...and mom also gets a back-to-school bag? that's yes for less. ross has the brands you want for back to school. and it feels even better when you find them for less. at ross. yes for less. ice cream inspired iced coffee is here at dunkin' in the flavors you love, cookie dough, pistachio and butter pecan. and now, enjoy any medium iced coffee for $1.50. america runs on dunkin'. ...aou sdey re th y for l every trend. every room. on any budget. it feels even better when you find it for less. at ross. yes for less.

. >> this is about the justice for nia wilson, her sister latifah, and their family. >> reporter: bart's police chief says he hopes the arrest of 27-year-old transient john lee cowell is the first step in healing for the heartbroken family of 18-year-old nia wilson, stabbed to death sunday night as she and two of her sisters switched trains at the mcarthur station. the attack was unprovoked. >> very dangerous, not only in the bart system, but throughout the communities here in the bay area. so we're ecstatic to have him in custody. >> reporter: he was at the pleasant hills station. the train was stopped, and searched after a tip from a rider. it was the second tip in an hour. cowell he face had been widely publicized since noon. >> an uneventful contact, they asked what his name was. >> reporter: cowell was unarmed, gave his name, and id, and did not resist. it's likely how he was riding bart. there were many moves parts to putting the -- moving parts to putting the case together. >> he had his clothes in a parking stretch kerr, a knife was -- stretcher, a knife was located, video, and w

. >> 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 vigil in her honor. the family found comfort knowing so many share in their grieve. >> all i want is justice for my daughters. >> i know my little sister will survive. and he came up behind them and started stabbing them for no reason. >> reporter: during the vigil, peo

. >> 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. that's all i want is justice for my daughters. >> some family members are criticizing bart. they cannot understand how the suspect managed to leave the bart station after the attack without being stopped. and why it took so long to release an image of the suspect. >> somebody that looked like me, the picture would have been posted on the screen. it would have already been posted on the screen. >> a memorial for nia wilson has been crea

. >> this is really about the justice for nia wilson, her sister latifah, and their family. >> reporter: bart police chief says he hopes the arrest of 27- year-old transient john lee cowell is the first step in healing for the heartbroken family of 18-year-old nia wilson, stabbed to death sunday night as she and her sisters switched trains. >> very dangerous, not only in the bart system, but throughout the communities in the bay area, so we're glad 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. it was the second tip in an hour. cowell's face had been widely publicized since noon. >> very uneventful type contact. they asked him what his name was. >> reporter: the chief says cowell, a parolee was unarmed, gave his name and id, and did not resist. he said there were many moving parts to putting this case together. >> we had where he dropped off his parking stretcher, veo that had to be recovered in different locations, and we had to make sure this was the correct indi

remains in jail tonight-- accused of brutally attacking and killing 18-year-old nia wilson on sunday. her sister latifah stabbed but survived. and we are learning nia's funeral will be held one week from today-- at the full gospel church in oakland. (grant) that was the third murder at a bart station in the span of one week.(vicki) bart recently released some unsettling numbers... kron 4's dan kerman got mixed reaction from riders about how the from riders mixed reaction kerman got mixed reaction from riders about how the recent violence is making them feel.. sotthe safety or riders on bart is in the spotlight following three recent murders on bart including the vicious sunday night stabbing of nia wilson... not counting the murders, recent statistics show violent crime on the upswing. last year alone there were over 400 acts of violence. for the first 6 months of this year, overall violent crime is up 2% compared with the same period last year, with assaults up 28% sotsot bevan dufty/bart board director 39-49riders say part of the solution is more security.sot175 patrol officers a budgeted but bart sti

they're calling for justice for nia wilson who was stabbed to death at that bart station last night ...and her sister latifah .... who survived her injuries.the crowd chanted for hours .... then took to the streets marching for the two women.the victims family understandaly distraught over this tragedy. they appreciate all this support from the community .... but say the pain is too much to bear.one sigh of relief tonight .... just before 7pm ... police announced 27 year old john lee cowell was taken into custody...the family continues to grieve this terrible loss. i know from my sister who survived, that she said he came up behind them and started stabbing for no reason whatsoever.we all are angry and upset right now. but it's how we deal with itya'll didn't give us nothing about the description til this morning. how long were u gonna put the community at risk and leave this man to flee?standup again, that suspect is in custody. we are expecting that press conference to start any time now.we will bring it all live to you as soon as it starts.reporting live from oakland ... ali reid ... kron 4 news. kron 4 n

wilson on a b.a.r.t. platform was in court today and charged with her murder. he also faces a charge of attempted murder in the stabbing of her sister latifah who survived. the attack happened sunday night on the b.a.r.t. platform at the macarthur station in oakland . in addition to charges of murder and attempted murder -- the enhancements have -- he paid -- he faces life with a dish a life sentence if convicted -- he faces a life sentence if convicted. >> it was a brutal murder and attempted murder for our whole community and i am not saying for b.a.r.t. specifically but for our community , it's an awful situation. and that's why we are treating it with the seriousness that we have. >> cal has not entered a plea to the charges. he's due back in court on august 22. neil wilson's family -- nia wilson's family is still trying to process what happened. christina rendon tells us family members aren't buying the explanation that he's mentally ill or that the attack was random. >> the past three days have been extremely painful for her father and the rest of her family. >> my daughter was everything to me. she was so beautiful and inspirational. she had dream