Just eight days after the suspect’s almost three-year prison sentence ended, a homeless man is accused of stabbing a tourist from North Carolina in the cheek at Newark Airport on Sunday night, according to police.
Around 5 p.m., Melissa Mauldin was waiting for her friend to return from the restroom when she was allegedly attacked with a knife by repeat criminal Xiong Jin, 54, at the New Jersey airport’s Terminal A departures level, according to authorities.
Mauldin had a deep cut as a result of the horrific stabbing, which was witnessed by Port Authority police, who promptly handcuffed the perpetrator.
Mauldin stated that after his arrest, the alleged assailant ought to receive the harshest penalty possible.
“This man poses a serious danger to society and should remain in custody – whether in jail, prison, or a psychiatric facility – to prevent further harm to others,” Mauldin stated.
“No one should have to endure such a traumatic event, and I am committed to ensuring that Xiong Jin does not inflict further violence on others.”
Mauldin said that while traveling back to her house in New Jersey after attending a wedding in Hoboken, the defendant “violently attacked” her from behind.
She said to ABC 7, which broke the story of the attack on Monday, “I actually travel for a living. I’ve traveled to all different countries, I’ve been to almost every state in the United States.”
“I’ve never not felt secure and I was telling my fiancé, Max, last night I feel like all that security has been stripped from me and I didn’t even do anything to deserve it.”
Mauldin was sent to a nearby hospital, where she underwent treatment for a fractured nose and cheekbone in addition to receiving 14 stitches throughout the right side of her face.
Jin was accused by Port Authority Police of aggravated assault and illegal gun possession. Right now, he’s incarcerated in Essex County.
According to two articles published by the Star Ledger at the time, Jin is accused of stabbing two people in 2007 after they let him into their houses and of using a sharpened pencil to stab a New Jersey prison officer in the neck in 2009.
According to law enforcement officials, he was also once accused of attempting to stab the proprietor of a Chinese restaurant.
According to a state correctional record, Jin was incarcerated at least three times between 2009 and 2024. After being accused of rape with aggravated violence, he was most recently freed on August 17 of this year.
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According to the Port Authority Police (PBA), Mauldin’s life might have been spared by officer Ryan Mangold’s quick thinking when he handcuffed Jin.
“Our officer did an excellent job, which started with him simply being in the right place at the right time, walking his foot-post,” PBA President Frank Conti stated. “His immediate actions prevented further injury and possibly saved the victim’s life.”
“It is this type of situation that our members may find themselves in on any day, on any tour, yet it is another example of police work many would like to downplay or pretend does not exist.”
