Victim of fatal stabbing on light rail train identified

The man who died after a stabbing on a light rail train early Thursday morning has been identified.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office said 45-year-old Anthony Demetrius Watson, of Minneapolis, died of multiple sharp force injuries and officially ruled his death a homicide.

According to Metro Transit Spokesperson Howie Padilla, authorities received a report of an assault at about 1 a.m.

Two men allegedly engaged in a verbal altercation that turned physical, Padilla said. One of the men stabbed the other.

The train stopped at the 28th Avenue Station in Bloomington, and Watson was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he later died.

The other man was taken into custody, according to the spokesman.

Investigators were talking with witnesses and analyzing surveillance video to understand what led up to the altercation.

"Our investigators have been working throughout the night, continue to, as a matter of fact as we speak, to piece together, all of the things that might have happened before, during, and after," said Padilla.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with passengers who ride the Blue Line about the deadly crime.

"Man it's crazy, it's kind of been getting bad on the train lately, I  don't know if they need to step up security or whatnot," said Terry Quinn, a light rail passenger. "Good thing he didn't try to stab this Marine — it would have went the other way."

"It's very alarming that it happened," added Profittia Castin, who rode the Blue Line on Thursday. "I think they (police) are doing what can do to protect us but I think more spot checks to ensure the safety of the community."

One state lawmaker has some questions for Metro Transit regarding crime.

"We need to continue take it seriously, it's something we are doing on this committee to highlight it and we are looking forward to coming up with some better solutions," said State Representative Jon Koznick (R-District 58A), who chairs a committee that oversees Metro Transit.

The Lakeville Republican plans to have officials address crime on the light rail and buses at a Feb. 5 committee meeting at the Capitol.

"A safe environment is of utmost importance to us. We look forward to participating in conversations that contribute to promoting that for our transit riding community," a Metro Transit spokesperson told KSTP. 

The Metro Transit and Bloomington police departments, as well as the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, are investigating.