Transgender suspect arrested over alleged fatal stabbing attack of Pennsylvania State Police officer
Anthony Alexi “Antonia” Quesen, 25, of Pittsburgh, was taken into custody Tuesday on criminal homicide charges.
A transgender suspect has been arrested over the fatal stabbing attack of a Pennsylvania State Police officer on a popular recreation trail outside of Pittsburgh on Monday.
Anthony Alexi “Antonia” Quesen, 25, of Pittsburgh, was taken into custody Monday evening on criminal homicide charges. He is being held at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting arraignment, police said. The victim, identified as 44-year-old Benjamin Brallier, was a Liquor Enforcement Officer for the Pennsylvania State Police Department.
Pictured: Victim Benjamin Brallier, left, suspect Anthony Quesen, right
Quesen, a biological male who identifies as a woman, allegedly stabbed Brallier to death around 2:52 pm on Oct. 21 along the Montour Trail in Moon Township. Police responded to reports of an injured male victim. Upon arrival, officers located Brallier suffering from several stab wounds to his back, upper chest, and left hand, per the complaint. First responders transported Brallier to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Detectives with the Allegheny County Police Department’s Homicide Unit are heading the investigation at the request of Moon Township Police, according to a press release from the Allegheny County Police Department.
The Montour Trail, a privately owned and operated multi-use recreational trail, is located roughly 12 miles west of Pittsburgh and spans about 47 miles. Police located an abandoned yellow bicycle and a multi-colored bag after following a blood trail where the victim was found. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives located Quesen’s photo identification inside the bag, authorities said.
According to the complaint, police arrested Quesen a few hours later near the entrance of the Montour Woods Conservation Area. Police observed blood stains on Quesen’s clothing, and cuts to his hands. The suspect allegedly made a comment to investigators about a stabbing on the trail, police said.
The male suspect’s Facebook page shows that Quesen identifies as a female. He has “female” listed as his preferred gender and is seen in several photographs wearing women’s clothing, including a multi-colored bra top. Quesen’s Facebook page can be found under the profile name “Ant Quesen.”
Screenshots from Quesen’s Facebook page
Screenshots from Quesen’s Facebook page and Instagram account
Brallier was an active runner and his wife told investigators that she believed he went to the trail to exercise before he was attacked and killed, the complaint states. Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the attack.