nia wilson. >> there is incredible pain on the part of the victim's family. 18-year-old nia wilson was planning to graduate from high school later on this year, she had hopes of joining the military. her father said she loved make up and fashion, and until the sudden events of last night, she had her whole life ahead of her. >> hundreds of people gathered at the site of the attack tonight. the mcarthur bart station, they came together to offer support to the victim's family and to demand justice. how police were able to find the suspect, and take him into custody. >> reporter: the chief briefed us here at the rock ridge station late this evening. he was very grateful for the passenger tips that led to the passenger 12 hours after the crime. >> 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 mca

>> they described nia wilson as an angel.hough at the rally he would hands in a healing circle. >> i feel -- of -- some family members cannot understand how the suspect managed to leave the bart station after the attack without being stopped. they also question why it took so long to release an image of the suspect. >> had it have been somebody that looked like me, the picture would have been already posted on the screen. >> a memorial for nia wilson has been created at the macarthur station including candles, flowers, and messages of love and support. >>> we also found out there is the third death involving the s an argument turned violent at the station in pleasant hill. gerald bisby was hurt and later from injuries suffered in the assault. a suspect is in custody. >>> police say a 47-year-old man died after another bart rider punched him early saturday morning at the bay fair bart station in san leandro. the attacker seen on this surveillance video is still on the loose. he's accused of punching one of two men who were arg

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 the flowers and the pictures and the handwritten notes. some people are reigniting the candles that went out overnight. they are also laying out fresh flowers. this is in honor of nia wilson . on sunday night, she and her sister were viciously attacked and stabbed on the bart platform near macarthur after a train. -- the violent attack has shaken the community and hundreds of people joined the grievi

nia wilson was killed and her sister was critically injured. as bart police were arrested the suspect, hundreds gathered for a rally and vigil in memory of nia wilson. >> reporter: hundreds of people gathered at the macarthur bart station to attend a vigil for 18-year-old nia wilson. she was killed in a knife attack by a man sunday night. her sister survived the attack but was injured. >> i'm glad he's been caught. we got this person off the streets. and it's unfortunate. there's more people out there like that. >> relief, relief. but more relief than anything. >> before the suspect was arrested, the victim's father and other family members said they were grateful for the support shown by the large crowd. >> i feel -- in them coming out to help me pursue justice for my daughterred. >> one of the victim's sisters wants to know why. >> i know my little sister will survive. he came up behind them and started stabbing them for no reason. >> reporter: another family member cannot understand how the suspect managed to leave the bart station after the

they are chanting justice for nia wilson. her and her sister were on the train with the attacker. 2 of them were stabbed as they got off the train. nia wilson cell and died on the platform. here is a look at the suspect. he is a 27-year-old. he is a transient and violent felon on parole. this shows him running through the parking lot and changing close.>> ktvu has more coverage . we begin with coverage on the investigation. >> reporter: this is a rally that has been going

they are chanting justice for nia wilson. her and her sister were on the train with the attacker. 2 of them were stabbed as they got off the train. nia wilson cell and died on the platform. here is a look at the suspect. he is a 27-year-old. he is a transient and violent felon on parole. this shows him running through the parking lot and changing close.>> ktvu has more coverage . we begin with coverage on the investigation. >> reporter: this is a rally that has been going on for a few hours. police are looking for the suspect john. they say he is responsible for the horrific incident here at the bart station. >> in my 30 years of police experience, this was one of the most vicious attacks i have ever seen. as you look behind me and at the screens, it is john, the suspect we identified. >> reporter: john is the prime suspect for the stabbing at the bart station 9:30 pm last night. he killed 18-year-old nia wilson and injured her sister lahtifa wilson. both were stabbed in the neck for no reason. >> it looks like an unprovoked

>> reporter: the chief says officers were in the mcarthur station but not on the platform when nia wilson was stabbed. >> a prison yard type of attack, where the game came up behind nia, and stabbed her in rapid success, and stabbed her sister in the same way. >> it happened basically at the snap of a finger, at the drop of the pen. that quick. >> reporter: as for a racial motive, the chief said he has no information connecting cowell to any right nationist groups, but investigators are explorinhe put it, he isn't taking anything off the table. >> we know that the suspect had a criminal record. was there anything at all in his past to suggest something like this? >> reporter: it the doesn't appear so, frank. he's been on parole after serving two years for robbery, a couple of restraining orders from hospital emergency rooms, from petty theft, vandalism, but nothing to suggest this level of violence. >> thank you. >>> as bart police were making the arrest, hundreds of people are gathered at the mcarthur bart station to attend a rally and vigil in honor of the victim. amber lee is now there

nia wilson was one of our own.she attended both oakland high school and dewey academy and had her whole life ahead of her. and yet that life was cut short by violence. in an instant, the reprehensible acts of one person have destroyed her family and shaken our community."in oakland haaziq madyun kron4news (jrstone) and we have been sending out push notifications as this story develops. make sure you download the kron4 mobile app to always get the latest breaking news alerts. (grant) san francisco has become known for it's 'rainbow crew" type of retail theft... that's when a half dozen or more people enter a store, start pocketing items on display and heading out the door with hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in merchandise. while luxury goods were once the prime target in san francisco, this latest video into the kron 4 newsroom indicates a change in focus... kron 4's dan kerman is live at police headquarters in san francisco with more. you're looking at a video a viewer sent us of a robbery at the cvs a

for 18-year-old nia wilson and her sister who were attacked.ia died and her sister was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. hundreds of people gathered last night to remember wilson and grieve with her family. during the vigil, people got word that the man responsible had been arrested. >> it's unfortunate. there's more of him out there. >> when you have children getti independent. still worried. >> reporter: nia's father and other family members said they were grateful for the display of support. and they have a lot of unanswered questions about why this happened. it appears it was a random, unprovoked attack. a lot of people want to know why the suspect was able to get away without anyone stopping him. bart police are supposed to have a news briefing this morning to talk about safety on the transit system. for now, live in oakland, allie rasmus, ktvu fox 2 news. >>> oakland mayor libby schaaf spoke out about the violence. she said that safety on bart is a huge concern. >> we want every part of oakland and every city in america to be

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.

station last night, killing 18-year-old nia wilson and wounding her sister. tonight we've learned cowell is no stranger to law enforcement. the contra costa county district attorney's office says he was just released from prison in may after serving time for second-degree robbery. they say he used a box cutter and replica gun for robbery in 2016. he was on probation for battery and drug convictions at the time. she recalls yearsally cowell allegedly throwing a brick at a fast food worker after the cashier said something he didn't like to his grandmother. a brick, i guess. well'samil is the guy in the receiving threats. police are keeping a close eye on the house. kinkade says she hasn't seen the suspect in weeks since she gave him a ride to b.a.r.t. >> my husband and i got him to the b.a.r.t. station. he said, thanks a lot, and went and got on the b.a.r.t. train. >> reporter: now despite his troubled past, kinkade says she is shocked that he is accused of the deadly stabbing. she says she hopes he turns himself in. reporting live in concord, i'm jodi hernande

the charges were announced against john cowell against nia wilson. stabbed to death at the mcarthur bart station on sunday. melanie woodrow posted this video of nia wilson's mom saying she wants justice for her baby. david louie tweets whoever just won mega-million in san jose got another $21 million added to winnings. california lottery says final sale numbers raised the jackpot to $543 million. the lump sum payout is more than $320 million. >>> now, to the extreme weather across the nation, with temperatures soaring with the triple digits in parts of the west, torrential rain is drenching the east. maggie rulli has the story. >> reporter: extreme flooding, fires and heat are putting millions of americans in harm's way. heavy rains are washing away roads in pennsylvania. from above, entire neighborhoods are seen under water. up to 30 people were rescued in hershey alone. but the flash floods turned deadly in monroe county as the body of a missing woman is found. the ground is so saturated, roots are giving way. >> i heard this huge bang. and i thoug

as we mentioned a march to downtown oakland formed for nia wilson. about 1,000 people turned out and some of the crowd marched down telegraph avenue. according to oakland police, a fight broke out between a group of people. officers deployed a chemical agent to disburse the crowd. officers detained two men who were later released. police are investigating two other homicides at bart stations in the last five days. new surveillance images show a suspect who police say sucker purchased another man at the bart station early saturday. the man fell and hit his head on the cement floor. sadly he was removed from life support yesterday. last wednesday a man died after a fight at the pleasant hill bart station. the man from pitsburg suffered a cut to his leg and it got infect and ended up killing him. police arrested a suspect. >> the oakland mayor talked about what was necessary to keep riders safe after a week of violence. >> police presence is only one factor that contributes to a safe environment. that is our job to look at all the different ways that we

. >>> they are describing the victim, nia wilson as full of love and beauty. investigators say she was standing at the bart platform with two sisters waiting to board a nia wilson was killed and her sister was wounded but has since been released from the hospital. we report from the memorial at the macarthur bart station. >> reporter: we have nt to look at this memorial that is outside the macarthur bart station. you can see a display of candles, balloons, flowers, personal notes outside the station to honor and remember nia wilson. she was killed outside the bart station platform in an apparent random attack. her sister was seriously injured but survived. station agents were here this morning, lighting the candles that had burnt out overnight. people have taken photos of the growing memorial and they have paused to reflect. >> i don't know why it happened for the community. it breaks my heart. she was young, at the beginning of her life. >> i do not know her but i feel for her because i lost a daughter. >> it has shaken the community. hundreds joined the grie

(dan) family and friends of 18 year old nia wilson packed an oakland courtroom wednesday for the arraignment of the man accused of stabbing wilson to death sunday night at the macarthur bart station... sot amsar el muhammad/victim's father 10-20i will never see my daughter again, she will never be able to pursue her dreams , no parent would want to go through what i am going through and all i want is justice for daughter that's it that's all.john cowell has been charged with one count of murder for killing wilson and one count of premeditated attempted murder for the stabbing of her 26 year old sister letifah... both carry life sentencessot nancy o'malley/alameda county district attorney 36-46in this particular case the crime is ruthless, the crime was it was a ruthless horrible crime with huge tragedy for the family as well as our whole community what's not included in the charging document is any mention of a hate crime, but that could change.sot there has to be evidence to show it was motivated by hate either by gender or race and we are still gathering evidence to look at that and we alw

nia wilson was one of our own. she attended both oakland high school and dewey academy and had her whole life ahead of her. and yet that life was cut short by violence. in an instant, the reprehensible acts of one person have destroyed her family and shaken our community." (vicki) there have been two other bart-related homicides in the past five days.(grant) police were investigating deaths from assaults that occurred at the bay fair and pleasant hill bart stations as well. kron4's michelle kingston joins us live tonight and has the details on those two deaths. (mk)three homicides in five days at bart stations in the bay area.they are all very high priority and we are following all the leads until we are able to exhaust those leads and our goal is really to bring justice to the families who have lost their loved onespolice arrested one man they say got into an altercation with 51 year old gerald bisbee at the pleasant hill station last wednesday. bisbee suffered a lip and knee injury .. went to the hospital .. was

as soon as nia wilson was stabbed the chief mentioned her sister came immediately to her aid and thenicers who had already been at the station took over for nia's sister and began to administer aid to nia wilson who unfortunately later died from her injuries. the man there on the screen is the suspect, 27-year-old john lee cowell. we have mug shots and police body camera video. the police chief pointed to the fact that bart has working cameras on all of its trains and platforms and in its parking lot. the chief mentioned after the attack cameras apparently captured cowell changing clothes in a bart parking lot and we heard the police chief take that as an admission of guilt. we'll bring you more information on twitter and coming up on the four on two. >> we'll be right back after the break. you know when you're at ross and you'rhello.... ...and then the price is like, helllooo! that's yes for less. find the latest trends and styles at prices that are a perfect fit. it feels even better when you find it for less. at ross. yes for less. ...and you suddenly realizes you're really into ar

nia wilson was one of our own. she attended both oakland high school and dewey academy and had her whole life ahead of her. and yet that life was cut short by violence. in an instant, the reprehensible acts of one person have destroyed her family and shaken our community." (jr stone) oakland mayor libby schaaf issued a statement that reads, in part..."the senseless and violent stabbing of two young women on a bart train platform last night has shaken our community. every parent who saw the father of nia wilson grieve for his daughter is heartbroken by this horrific act... this horrific act... is heartbroken by for his daughter nia wilson grieve for his daughter is heartbroken by this horrific act... (grant)(grant)rant) there have been two other bart- related homicides in the past five days. police were investigating deaths from assaults that occurred at the bay fair and pleasant hill bart stations as well.(jr stone) kron4's michelle kingston has the details on kingston has the details on those two deaths. (mk)three

he was riding on the same train that 18-year-old nia wilson and her sister lahtifa wilson were on last night. he stabbed the 2 women in an unprovoked attack as they got off the train -- train. cmac paul talked to the women's father. we will give you the latest on the investigation. >> reporter: we are here at the station. there is a rally in progress for nia wilson. police are on the lookout for the suspect john. he is connected with the vicious attack at this train station. cmac

stay with us at ktvu for continuing coverage of the bart stabbing of nia wilson. you can hear from other members of her family in the next half hour along with close friends talking about her life and the senseless attack. >>> the fire that's burning near yosemite national park keeps getting bigger. it's burned 56 square miles. that's an area bigger than the city of san francisco. it started two weeks ago. and it's only 16% contained this morning. there are no flames in the park. yosemite is still open and highway 140 into the park is closed. park officials are warning visitors that some of the events, including ranger led hikes may have to be canceled because of heavy smoke. ♪ >> and hundreds of people attended the funeral for brady varney. he's a firefighter killed in the ferguson fire. he was remembered during that service in modesto. he died july 14th. he was using a bulldozer to create a fire line. he was part of the mariposa unit for 10 years. >> >> the most fond memory that will stay with me is his smile and nice calm personality. braden was always there to

cowell stabbed two sisters, nia and latifa wilson. >> 18-year-old nia died. her older sister survived with stab wounds to her neck. last night, family, friends, supporters as well held a vigil at the macarthur b.a.r.t. station. that's where amy hollyfield is live for us this morning. >> look what they left behind here. an impressive memorial to this young woman here outside the macarthur b.a.r.t. station. it's just a huge sign of love, lots of candles, flowers, and notes. they even spilled over here to this window, this shelter over here, where they wrote rest in peace, nia wilson. we need to protect each other. so lots of expressions of love here at the b.a.r.t. station, and calls for justice. you know, when the vigil started last night, b.a.r.t. had not made an arrest, so there was anxiety and frustration when it started. it even turned from vigil to demonstration at one point, spilling into the street with outrage. there was also silence and tears as people remembered nia wilson. her sister told us nia had big plans for a vibrant future. >> wanted to be a

as they arrived at the macarthur station, he slashed nia wilson's neck and killed her there on the platform. her sister latifa wilson was wounded. police say he ran off and tossed the weapon, triggering a manhunt. the victim's mother blames bart, saying they need to increase security. >> where was the police? why was my baby -- y'all said you was going to have police on the platform. >> we had officers on the station. he'd have to be standing right next to the individual. >> reporter: bart police are looking for the motive. they don't know if this was racially motivated. the sheriff's department says cowell has been arrested for a number of crimes. he was released after serving two years for a robbery in contra costa county. he was released just two months ago. he has two restraining orders against him as well. many riders say they do not feel safe on bart. there was another stabbing incident in april, where two people survived being stabbed at the coliseum station. bart right now has a lot of questions they have to answer about safety. at 9:00 this morning there will be a supervisor commit

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 night to demand justice for the girls. >> no justice, no peace! >> crowds held signs and raised voices at the growing memorial. >> this man just came and did all this to my baby. my baby. my baby. she didn't deserve this. >> the memorial moved to downtown and po

cowell came up behind 18-year-old nia wilson at the macarthur platform and fatally stabbed her. cowell is accused of seriously injuring wilson's sister in what police describe as a brutal and unprovoked attack. wilson's father was waiting outside the courtroom before the arraignment. he said it's important for him to be in the courtroom today and coming forward even though it means coming face-to-face with his daughter's accused killer. >> prosecute to the full extent. i will never see my daughter again. she will never be able to pursue her dreams. no parent would ever want to go through what i'm going through right now. all i want is justice for my daughter. that's it. that's all. >> wilson's father says nia was supposed to graduate this december with high marks from dewy academy and had dreams of joining the military after graduation. the man accused in the brutal killing of nia wilson is expected to be in court for his arraignment. it's been pushed back from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. we're told he could be facing charges of first degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. allie ra

. >>> this morning the man charged with stabbing to death nia wilson on a b.a.r.t. platform in oakland is back in court for a different case. in court for the parole violation hearing. >> reporter: nia wilson's accused killer was just inside here on the fifth floor. 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

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 brutal, horrific murder and attempted murder. you know, for our whole community. not part specifically, but our whole community, it is an awful situation. that is why we are treating it with the seriousness we have. >> reporter: the district attorney said she could not comment on reports that cowell is mentally ill and how that

, and killing nia wilson. and investigators say how they located him. one families very personal tragedy has shaken the entire bay area, sunday night, nia wilson, 18 years old, police said she was killed in a completely unprovoked attack. her sister was slashed as well, and the suspect , a sharp eyed rider spotted him, his capture caught on camera. >> one of the passengers was on the train, they saw what they believed to be mr. 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, workin

quote, nia wilson was one of our own. in an instant, the reprehensible acts of one person has destroyed her family and shaken our community. >> a vigil is under way right now to honor the life of 18-year-old nia wilson. her family is there. it's deeply emotional, obviously. abc 7 news reporter melanie woodrow continues our live team coverage. she spoke with the sister who survived the attack. melanie? >> dan and kristen, that sister, letifah wilson, was also here tonight at this vigil. she tells us that she and her sisters rarely take bart. they did last night, and their lives changed forever. letifah wilson is in mourning after her baby sister was stabbed to death at the macarthur bart station. >> it breaks my heart. she was my heart. >> three of the wilson sisters were on their way home from a family gathering sunday night when police say john cowell attacked them with a knife. >> i didn't do nothing to nobody. she didn't do nothing to nobody. and for this to happen is just outright crazy. >> letifah says cowell stabbed

he is charged with the murder of nia wilson and premeditated attempted murder of her sister, letifah wilson. >> our whole community, it's an awful situation and that's why we are treating it with the seriousness we have. >> cowell already has two felony convicts on his record. one of them stems from a 2016 incident in which he stole items from this lucky in el cerrito and when a security guard tried to stop him, cowell pulled out a toy gun and a box cutter. the alameda county district attorney said she is still looking into whether sunday's attack was a hate crime. >> we have a job to do which is to bring justice for the victims and the community. >> that was melissa colorado reporting. she was also tweeting from the courthouse this afternoon and that includes this video showing nia wilson's family waiting to go inside of that courtroom. you can follow all of our reporters for videos and updates of their stories throughout the day. our handle, @nbcbayarea. >> yosemite looks like a ghost town right now. the ferguson fire forced the park to make an unusual move, close up and have visito

nia wilson died. her sister survived . after the stabbing cowell took off his clothes and left his backpack behind in a b.a.r.t. parking structure and inside the backpack were items with his name and date of birth . on monday evening b.a.r.t. riders spotted him on a train and police arrested him without incident at a pleasant hill station. is charged with murder and attempted murder and also faces enhancements for allegedly using a knife which was recovered by police at a nearby construction site. nancy o'malley says at this point there is no evidence of a hate crime and the motive of the attack is still unknown. she called the attack quote vicious, brutal and ruthless. >> it's a very, very troubling case. it's a brutal, horrific murder and attempted murder, and so for our whole community -- i am not saying b.a.r.t. specifically but for our whole community, it's an awful situation and that's why we are treating it with the seriousness we have. >> reporter: the da said she can't -- and she can't comment on reports that cowe

they say he stabbed and killed nia wilson, the 18-year-old. police got a tip and stopped this train here and took him into custody without incident. attacked andlethat and injuher sunday night. cowell got on at the concord station along with three sisters. as they arrived at if macarthur station, he slashed nia wilson's neck and killed her. her sister was wounded. police say he ran off and changed clothes after the murder, and tossed the weapon, triggering a day-long manhunt and leaving bart riders on edge. >> as they were transferring at the macarthur platform, they were approached by an individual with a knife, who struck very rapidly. it was in my close to 30 years of police experience probably one of the most vicious attacks that i've seen. >> reporter: the alameda county sheriff's department says cowell has been arrested for a number of crimes and was just released two months ago after serving a sentence for robbery. he has two restraining orders against him, one by a woman and one by kaiser permanente after they say he threatened an empl

but they may ask for attempted murder for the other attack on nia wilson's sister, latifa. here in oakland, te (vicki) (vicki) (vicki) (vicki) thanks terisa. and we have team coverage tonight on this investigation. (grant) we are learning more about the suspect tonight john lee cowell grew up in contra costa county... and prosecutors there are very familiar with him. kron 4's dan kerman is live in martinez with the latest. neighbors say john cowell grew up in this home in concord, and then lived here off and on as a adultsot carol kincaid/cowell's neighbor neighbor carol kincaid says when she heard of cowell's arrest for murder she was not surprised.sottrouble is an understatement alonso/cc county da's office the 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

nia wilson was stabbed on the macarthur bart platform. lson's death has affected isabella davis who frequently rides bart to work. >> i know from the reports that she was 18 years old. i'm turning 19 soon and it's just really scary. it could have been anyone. >> others don't feel safe on bart. >> until bart has some kind of stronger presence this is what it's going to be like. >> in wilson's case there were officers -- they can have officers cover every square inch but they are looking at where they are improve their presence with the resources they have. >>> we're learning more information, a university of iowa student who disappeared wednesday night. police officers have conducted is several searches but tub bet's boyfriend says she was dog sitting. >> she hadn't called in and i went to my phone and i texted her good morning and she hadn't opened it. so i got ahold of all her friends and family. >> reporter: she had gone out for a job the night she went missing. her family remains hopeful. they have searched the town of 1500 people. she

(grant) there was enormous support today for 18 year old nia wilson... and her older sister letifah, who was also stabbed but survived. 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 mcarthur bart station...a motive...still being determined. but the pain is profound for the victim's father. amsar el muhammad/victim's father: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. nancy o'malley/alameda county district attorney:it'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 have(grant) the d.a. says the two charges both carry life sentences, and she says additional charges could come if they find evidence. cameras were not all

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 was diagnosis. kron4's haziq maadyun has more.. in a story you'll see only here on kro

but he may also face an attempted murder charge for the other attack on nia wilson's sister, lahtifa.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 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 cole suffers from mental illness. reporting live in studio, lydia pantazes kron4 news. ( robin )r

but they may ask for attempted murder for the other attack on nia wilson's sister lahtifa. ( pam ) three bart- homicides in five days ... an alarming revelation today.and while two suspects were arrested ...one man is still on the loose tonight.( grant ) bart police releasing these photos tonight of the man they say is wanted in connection to the assault and death of 47 year old don stevens.. at the bay fair bart station early saturday morning. as kron4's michelle kingston explains -- the agency has received numerous tips -- but still no arrest. (mk)michelle kingston, mkingstonnews"bart police say they're chasing active leads right now and detectives are working hard on this case, but they have yet to identify the suspect and need your help." this man -- still on the loose -- after bart police say he attacked 47 year old don stevens at the bay fair bart station early saturday morning. he was wearing a white t-shirt and a green jacket at the time of the attack and has shoulder length 4 news kingston kron 4 news (pam) (pam) 4 news kingston kron 4 news (pam) happening now hot weather across

nia wilson was one of our own. she attended both oakland high school and dewey academy and had her whole life ahead of her. and yet that life was cut short by violence. (grant) there have been two other bart-related homicis in the past five days.(vicki) police were investigating deaths from assaults that occurred at the bay fair and pleasant hill bart stations as well.kron 4 's michelle kingston has more. (mk)three homicides in five days at bart stations in the bay area.they are all very high priority and we are following all the leads until we are able to exhaust those leads and our goal is really to bring justice to the families who have lost their loved onespolice arrested one man they say got into an altercation with 51 year old gerald bisbee at the pleasant hill station last wednesday. bisbee suffered a lip and knee injury .. went to the hospital .. was released and then found dead in his home on friday -- police say the autopsy shows he died from an infection from the cut on his knee.his mother tells us he wa

they say cowell stabbed two sisters, nia and latifah wilson. 18-year-old nia died and her older sister survived with injuries to her neck. >> last night, family, friends, and supporters held a vigil for nia at the macarthur b.a.r.t. station where amy hollyfield is live for us this morning. amy. >> hi, good morning, jessica. look what they left behind. an impressive tribute to this young woman. a huge memorial outside the mcanotherer b.a.r.t. station with signs and cards expressing love and calling for justice. you know, when the vigil started, b.a.r.t. had not made an arrest, so there was anxiety and frustration when it urnedro outrage. there was also silence and tears as people remembered nia wilson her sister told us about the attack. she was also stabbed but survived. >> and i looked back. and he was wiping off his knife and stood at the stairs and just looked. and then i start -- from there, i was caring for my sister. >> the sisters were on their way home from a family gathering when the attack happened. it was around 9:45 sunday night here at the macarthur b.a.r.t. station. city

in their place, photos dedicated to nia wilson. investigators say theppened quit have enough officers to patrol platforms at all times. they're hoping to fill 25 open positions and they're urging riders, just like these evening commuters, to stay vigilant. >> our marching orders to our patrol officers is to get on the cars and walk the stations. >> reporter: eyes up, that's the message b.a.r.t. police has for their 400,000 plus daily riders. thanks to an eagle eyed rider, police found suspect john lee cowell yesterday. >> he was very calm. he was sitting on the train car. they contacted him and he walked off the train voluntarily with them. there was absolutely no use of force. >> reporter: when detectives tried to question cowell, police say the 27-year-old paroly refused to answer and asked for an attorney. at this point investigators still do not have a motive. >> it ain't going to stop all the hurting. >> reporter: we found dominic wilson at nia wilson's memorial outside the b.a.r.t. station. dominic says he had been dating nia

the man accused of stabbing 18 year old nia wilson to death on a bart platform is expected in court later this morning. last night wilson )s father returned to the mcarthur bart station to see a growing memorial. ansar mohammed was greeted by tearful supporters. an artist from the east coast gave him a portrait he painted of nia waering a death to racism shirt. bart police say john lee cowell stabbed the 18-year-old >>> you know, to speak justice with my daughter. >> they say he stabbed the 18-year-old to death on the bart platform sunday night also wounding her sister. the sister now recovering at home. relativ relatives say the 27-year-old is mentally ill living on the streets. he was released from prison in may after serving time for second-degree robbery. >>> only on nbc bay area we are hearing from the girl that sat next to him when he was arrested. he was taken home from work and said he boarded a train and says could have been her. >> nia wilson could have been any woman that looked like me or her. we shouldn't have to live like that in 2018. >> he saw on social media and immediate

prinicpal darrell ross says just about everyone interacted with nia wilson on regular daily basis... and so did he. <"she is one of our daughters, one of our babies. we are a family here. we have a family atmosphere so that one hurt tremendously.">( robin ) the superintendent of the oakland unified school district released a statement saying the district is heartnroken by the senseless attack. ( robin ) there have been two other bart-related homicides in the past five days. police were investigating deaths from assaults that occurred at the bay fair and pleasant hill bart stations as well. kron 4 's michelle kingston has the details. (mk)three homicides in five days at bart stations in the bay area.they are all very high priority and we are following all the leads until we are able to exhaust those leads and our goal is really to bring justice to the families who have lost their loved onespolice arrested one man they say got into an altercation with 51 year old gerald bisbee at the pleasant hill station last wednesday. bisbee suffered a lip and knee injury .. went to the hospital ..

on sunday night, please say cowell came up behind 18-year- old nia wilson at the park station let foreman fatally stabbed her. cowell is also accused of stabbing wilson's sister. police it was unprovoked. cowell was arrested on monday, almost 24 hours after the crime. his arrest was captured on video. this came after bart issued and alert -- an alert. a passenger spotted cowell and contacted police. >> very calm. he was sitting on the train car. when they got into the train, they contacted him. he walked off of the train voluntarily. there was no use of force. he was in phone with any weapons.>> reporter: please say cowell did not say anything but did request to speak with a lawyer once in custody. bar police say they are trying to trace all of cowell's steps from the time the crime occurred until the time he was arrested. again, he is due in court around 9:00 this morning. he is facing first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. allie rasmus, ktvu fox 2 news. >>> police have released new images of a man wanted. bart says the suspect punched a victim of fell in his head on the f

i guess call it intuition. >> reporter: he is accused of stabbing 18-year-old nia wilson sunday at theacarthur 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 also stabbed n and he is in jail, no bail has been set. in oakland, amy hollyfield, abc 7 news. >> we want to hear your concerns about safety on bart so we can follow up with bart officials and reviving the #dearbart which we launched five years ago during the bart strike. so use it when you post your comments on twitter or facebook so we can find them and then get some answers for you. >>> this morning pop star demi lovato said to be awake and spending time with her family after she was taken to the hospital for a suspected drug overdose she has spoken about her struggle with an eating disorderer, mental illness and substance abuse. she talked to "gma" and said it started after being bullied as a child. >> i've suffered from cross addictions over the past few years. i was trying to control my eating disorder, trying to get help for it. >> just

(dan) last sunday's murder of nia wilson at the macarthur bart station has once again raised questions about the overall safety of the transit systemsot while opinions are mixed as to whether the transit system is safe... 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%sot bevan dufty/bart board director 37-47 one of the biggest complaint among riders is a lack of police presencesot175 patrol officers a budgeted but bart still has 21 vacancies despite hiring 27 officers in last year and a half. dufty says the board might have to consider another alternative. sot sot alternative. sot (dan) (grant) playing in the sand can be fun... but in santa cruz it took a turn and became dangerous. why lifeguards say this accident came at the best possible time. (vicki) what was once illegal is now getting a whole new tech makeover. how weed and technology are coming together in the bay area. "did you say coyotes? t

latiffa wilson survived the attack but 18-year-old nia wilson was killed. 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

nia wilson's mother facing an unimaginable task, choosing pictures to remember her. just 18 years old, she was writing bart home to oakland, when he suspect stabbed and killed her on a -- in a random attack on the macarthur bart station platform. >> this man just came and did this to my baby, my baby!>> reporter: she was with her two sisters, getting off the train, helping a woman with a stroller, when a man stabbed her and an older sister. a white man in his 20s or 30s, short hair and a heavy build, got away. the random violence comes months after 2 riders stabbed -- survive a stabbing attack, and bart police are going to step up for patrols. >> where were the police, you said you were going to have people on the platform, where were the people?>> reporter: bart says an officer was at the station, it is unclear whether they were on the platform, we asked them if riders should be worried about safety. >> the situation onrtisn't reburiders are on edge. >> the first thing that my husband told me, he was worried about me getting on bart. her sister is recovering at the

dozens of family and friends of victim nia wilson... that 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 been charged with one count of murder for killing wilson and one count of 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 tw

now nia wilson was fatally stabbe in the neck as she exited a b.a.r.t. train. her family shared this picture with us. her sister was also stabbed, but survived. both women attacked by a man they did not know according to b.a.r.t. officials. that man took off running out of the station. they are searching for a suspect described as a white male in his 20s or 30s, heavy build and short hair. the suspect fled from the train and down into the concourse level of the station and left the station. and he now gleefing trieving th his daughter. and the daughter who survived is stable this morning at a local hospital. we just got word that b.a.r.t. plans to release images of the suspect caught on surveillance cameras in the station. that will happen at a news conference later this morning or this afternoon. we're live in oakland, cornell barnard. >>> b.a.r.t. sent out this update at c9:30 this morning. they plan to release surveillance images within the next several hours. you can download the abc 7 news app to get those photos, but also now the mayor is saying that the