When Evil Walks Freely, Wisdom Is Required

In a recent article by the New York Post, Margaret Swan, 66 — a retired school parent coordinator, mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of four — boarded an Atlanta MARTA train on a routine Saturday morning trip. She never made it home. At approximately 11:20 a.m., a homeless 25-year-old named John Elijah Matthews boarded the train, hovered over her, slashed her throat, then stabbed her 18 to 20 times.(nypost.com). The two had never exchanged a single word. This was not a crime of passion. This was a predator unleashed on an unprotected woman in broad daylight.

Nobody Helped Her

Her daughter Shanae Sams said what every grieving heart already knows: “My mother wouldn’t hurt nobody, nobody. For her to be taken like that and nobody helped and y’all heard her screaming.” The Bible warns us plainly in Proverbs 24:11-12 — “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those stumbling toward slaughter.” Bystanders failed that command entirely.

The System Failed Her First

Sams pointed to glaring security gaps and a free-fare policy that gave anyone — including the homeless — unrestricted access to trains. “Anybody has access to get on and off the trains… police patrolling was negligent, there was no security, there was nothing,” she said. This marks the second homicide connected to the Oakland City MARTA station since late April. The pattern is undeniable.

Count the Cost 

The enemy is not just a homeless man with a pocket knife and he attacks when we least expect it.  Scripture is clear — “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Margaret carried a knife. She never had the chance to use it. Preparation without discernment is not enough. Ask God where to go. Ask God when to move and how to do it. If you doubt, don’t. Wisdom is not weakness — it is protection.

My husband and I travel extensively, and for four years we have tracked incidents exactly like this one. The conclusion is always the same: avoid public transportation in major cities at all costs. It is not safe. You are a walking target. Whether you are male or female, young or old, prepared or not — no one is exempt. Margaret Swan proved that.

Your life was purchased at a price. It is worth protecting. So here is your urgent call to action if you use mass transit — pray before you leave your home, travel with someone you trust, demand accountability from your local transit authority, and if you witness evil unfolding, refuse to be silent. Silence is complicity. One voice, one action, one moment of courage could save a life. Do not wait until it is someone you love on that train. The time to act is now.

Amazon Best-Selling Author Pastor Greg Locke just launched his new book. Titled, The King Killers By PASTOR GREG LOCKE. When God places this prophetic sword in your hand, you will know—you were born to be a spiritual king killer. Grab your Book copy now on Amazon.com