NEWARK, New Jersey — A woman waiting for a flight at Newark Liberty International Airport was stabbed in the face on Sunday evening. Melissa Mauldin, 36, was allegedly attacked by 54-year-old Xiong Jin while she waited for her friend to return from the bathroom. The assault took place in full view of Port Authority police officers.
The officers quickly detained Jin, who was identified as a repeat offender with no connection to Mauldin, who was visiting from North Carolina. The stabbing occurred around 5 p.m. at the Terminal A departures level of the New Jersey airport, just eight days after Jin had completed a nearly three-year prison sentence for aggravated assault, according to reports from The New York Post.
Jin is now in custody and initially faced charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon. Authorities have indicated that these charges may be upgraded to attempted murder. Jin is currently being held in Essex County Jail.
“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 said in a statement to The Post. “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 shared images of the facial wound that required 14 stitches. She had been in New Jersey for a wedding and was on her way home when she was “violently attacked” from behind.
“I actually travel for a living,” Mauldin told ABC 7. “I’ve traveled to all different countries, I’ve been to almost every state in the United States. I’ve never not felt secure. 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.”
In addition to the stitches, Mauldin suffered a fractured nose and cheekbone.
Jin, reportedly homeless, remains in custody and awaits a court hearing. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office expects to update his charges soon.
If convicted, this would be Jin’s third stabbing offense. In 2009, he was accused of stabbing a New Jersey corrections officer in the neck with a sharpened pencil. Two years earlier, Jin allegedly stabbed two people after being invited into their homes and was also accused of attempting to stab the owner of a Chinese restaurant, according to sources familiar with his criminal history.
Jin has served multiple prison sentences over the years, between 2009 and 2024, as reported by The New York Post. His most recent release from prison was on August 17, related to an unspecified aggravated assault case.
The Port Authority Police Department credited Officer Ryan Mangold with Jin’s quick arrest, which likely prevented further harm.
“Our officer did an excellent job, which started with him simply being in the right place at the right time, walking his foot-post,” said Port Authority Police Department Chief Frank Conti. “His immediate actions prevented further injury and possibly saved the victim’s life… yet another example of police work many would like to downplay or pretend does not exist.”
