Police ID suspect in stabbing attack on SEPTA bus in Delaware County

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police have identified a suspect in custody in connection with a stabbing on a SEPTA bus in Delaware County.

Seventy-eight-year-old Edward Gay is accused of randomly attacking an 18-year-old male on Wednesday.

The incident happened around 3 p.m. at Baltimore Pike and Church Road in Springfield.

Police say Teandre Costin was exiting the bus, heading to work, when Gay stabbed him in the neck and head.

But Costin tells Action New he had no idea he was being attacked.

"When I touched my head I seen the blood on my fingers, and that's when everyone ran off the bus and was like, 'Oh my God he just stabbed him. He didn't do anything,' " said Costin.

Police say Gay had a knife and a screw driver. Costin tells us both were used in the attack.

"After he stabbed me, he just sat back down on the bus," said Costin.

A good Samaritan, who works as a security guard and was armed, kept Gay secured in the bus until Springfield police arrived.

SEPTA police say when they arrived on the scene, they knew they had their man. Gay is wanted for two similar attacks in June and November, all of them on SEPTA, random and unprovoked.

Lt. Nicole Lawson says Gay is homeless and uses several aliases, which has made finding him difficult.

"We have been looking for him for several months," said Lawson. "We've been at homeless shelters, counselors, anywhere we can find him."

Costin was treated at a local hospital and, like the other victims, was not seriously hurt.

The Upper Darby High School senior is grateful his injuries weren't worse.

"It was like this close to hitting a major artery in my neck," said Costin.

Court records reveal Gay has a long criminal history and suffers from mental illness.