East Bay

Good Samaritan Fatally Stabbed on BART Train While Allegedly Trying to Stop Theft

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Jermaine Jeremiah Brim, used the victim's pocket knife in the stabbing

A good Samaritan was fatally stabbed on a BART train after he allegedly attempted to stop a man from stealing another rider's shoes.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Jermaine Jeremiah Brim, used the victim's pocket knife in the stabbing, BART officials said. Brim was also a walk-away from San Leandro Hospital and listed as a missing person at-risk, officials said. 

The incident was reported 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and shut down the South Hayward station for hours, sparking system-wide delays and more safety concerns from BART passengers.

The victim has been identified as Oliver Williams, 49, of Oakland, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim," BART said in a statement released Wednesday. "This is a tragedy. Violent crimes of this magnitude are very rare on BART."

JermaineJeremiahBrim
BART
Jermaine Jeremiah Brim

BART officials said the confrontation started after Brim attempted to steal shoes from another passenger who was apparently asleep. Williams stepped in when he saw the attempted theft, officials said.

BART is trying to reassure riders by putting more officers on overtime to increase police patrols.

"We've hired 54 BART police officers this calendar year, 54," said Robert Powers, BART's general manager. "That's a record. That's more than any two years combined."

But not all riders are satisfied.

"As a commuter, you don't know what you're going to confront every day," said rider Victor Medina. "Every day is something different. I don't feel safe personally. But obviously, I always stay aware of my surroundings."

Brim, who is being held in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, faces charges of first-degree murder and carjacking. He provided authorities an address out of Sacramento when booked and is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

Video images show Brim leaving the station without his shirt on. Police said he ran from the BART station to a used car dealership, where he tried to steal two cars. But an employee fought Brim and police eventually took him into custody.

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