Man arrested in deadly stabbing on MTA shuttle bus in Brooklyn

CYPRESS HILLS, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A man was arrested and is now facing charges in Sunday's fatal stabbing on a Brooklyn shuttle bus.

Surveillance video recovered from the bus, which provided a clear image of the suspect, was instrumental in the apprehension, according to authorities.

Kareem McCalla, 36, is now facing a charge of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Alvin Francis, 41, was killed after an apparent dispute over a seat. It's believed he was lying over the seats at the time of the confrontation.

Police say it happened on the J90 shuttle on Etna Street and Crescent Street in Cypress Hills just before 2 p.m.

Francis was stabbed in the abdomen and was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A camera on a nearby home captured the sirens wailing when the stabbing occurred. Neighbors were also heard screaming.

"It was just like screams. Like, very loud. Like if you hear it, you would obviously want to know what happened," said Julia Vargas.

12-year-old Julia peeked out and saw an ambulance rushing away from the stopped bus with a patient inside.

The bus that became a crime scene was a J90 shuttle bus, replacing the J train on weekends. Esmeralda Ortiz says she usually chooses the bus over the train because it feels safer.

"But now, no -- I'm scared to take the bus because you never know, like what can happen. And I'm with my two kids by myself. I feel like it's not safe," Ortiz said.

McCalla is set to appear in court on the charges in Downtown Brooklyn later on Wednesday.

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