The attack left at least 29 people shot or otherwise injured, shaking a city already frustrated by the sharp rise in crime. A “muttering” lone gunman with a reflective vest and gas mask threw smoke bombs at a Brooklyn subway car and then fired at the height of the morning rush, with the manhunt continuing into the night as new details emerged. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. Authorities say a magazine blocked the gun, which may have saved lives. On Tuesday afternoon, authorities identified 62-year-old Frank R. James as the man in charge of the investigation and posted a photo in a NYPD briefing led by Commissioner Keechant Sewell. On Wednesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams said James was no longer just a man of interest and would be considered a suspected and wanted fugitive in the future. Police now have a possible reason to arrest James for attempting to kill ten people on the subway, law enforcement sources told ABC News. This determination was taken overnight after more than 18 hours of research involving video, cell phone data, and witness interviews. The U.S. military has been involved in the investigation along with the NYPD, the FBI, the ATF and other agencies. READ ALSO Investigation: Police identification of Frank R. James as a person interested in shootings in the Brooklyn subway While the station’s cameras were not working, law enforcement officers were able to capture a video of the suspect from a passer-by’s mobile video. The NYPD spotted a U-Haul truck on Kings Highway in Gravesend believed to be linked to the shooting. James rented the U-Haul in Philadelphia and the keys to the van were found in the perpetrator’s belongings, which they left behind at the subway station, said James Esig, the head of NYPD detectives. He added, however, that investigators did not know if James had anything to do with the subway shootings. The U-Haul has been towed ever since. Sewell also revealed Tuesday night that additional security would be added to Mayor Adams’ details due to social media posts by an interested person who appears to be sharply critical of the mayor over his homeless policy. There is a $ 50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of James, who according to police had addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin. Mayor Adams appeared on Good Morning America Wednesday and was asked about the manhunt. “He is still active. I was informed earlier this morning, we are still looking for the person we are interested in,” Adams told ABC News’ George Stefanopoulos. “We ask all New Yorkers if they see something saying something – or doing something – and that is to notify the local authorities or call our line.” Adams also said officials were considering using state-of-the-art metal detectors in the city’s subway system. “These are not the traditional metal detectors you see at airports,” Adams said. “Technology has advanced so much. When you think about it, we have not advanced with technology. Cities … when it comes to better protecting citizens, I’m open to any technology.” Police say the shooting happened on an N train bound for Manhattan that made rapid stops just before 8:30 p.m. and that the suspect was seen muttering to himself before putting on the gas mask and removing a canister from a bag before the car began to fill with smoke. Essig added that between 59th and 36th Street stations, the suspect opened and threw two smoke grenades on the ground and started firing his semi-automatic weapon. The gunman then fired the Glock 33 times. A semi-automatic Glock 9 mm pistol, three cartridges, an ax, petrol, four smoke grenades (two detonated and two unexploded) and a bag of consumer quality fireworks were also found at the scene, as well as a credit card according to the authorities. used to rent U-Haul. They say the gun was not stolen. “At this time we do not know the motive of the suspect. It is clear that this person boarded the train and intended to use violence,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell told an evening news conference. ABOUT Extensive search for gunman in Brooklyn subway shootings, as far as we know After the passengers were poured on the platform, all those who were not injured were told to return to the train, which then continued to 25th Street Station in Greenwood Heights. “This perpetrator dropped these cigarette butts, if any, and fired around him, then left the scene,” said retired New York City Chief Detective Robert Boyce. “It will not stay there if there is smoke there, even if it has a filter mask.” On the train and on the platform, shell casings were recovered along with a pistol that had three round round cartridges. One of these magazines was blocked, which is believed to have saved lives. No arrests have been made and schools in the area have been turned into shelters as the search continues. There were tearful gatherings when the schools were closed. Kristin Thorne has more on this point of view: Mayor Adams attended a police briefing almost Tuesday night and also spoke to Eyewitness News on Tuesday night. Adams, who remains in quarantine due to a diagnosis of COVID, posted a video statement on his various social media accounts. “We pray for all New Yorkers who have been injured or affected by today’s attack,” he said. “So far, we know we have a lot of injuries, including shooting victims … We will not allow New Yorkers to be intimidated by a single person. The NYPD is looking for the suspect free and we will find him.” Officials confirmed that 10 of the victims, aged between 17 and 50, had been shot and five said they were in critical but stable condition. None of the injuries are considered life threatening. It is not clear whether the gunman fled from a station or into the subway tunnel. READ ALSO Witnesses describe chaotic scene after New York subway shootings Governor Kathy Hochul called the suspect “cold-hearted and corrupt” and warned he remained relaxed and dangerous. “We say no more,” he said. “No more mass shootings. No more disturbing lives. No more cracking down on people just trying to live their lives as normal New Yorkers. It has to end and it ends now … Everyone involved has a purpose. “and that is to stop the insanity of these crimes.” After the chaos subsided, hospitals reported a total of 29 patients being treated for gunshot wounds. The vast majority, 21, were transported to NYU Langone-Brooklyn and none of the victims were threatened with death. So far 16 patients have been released from NYU. The remaining five patients remain in stable condition. Five other victims were taken to the Monkeys, two of whom are being held overnight for gunshot wounds. The other three victims have already been released. Governor Hochul spoke outside Maimonides on Tuesday night, thanking law enforcement for identifying a person of interest and then talking about meeting an 18-year-old victim, a student who was on his way to school and is now awaiting surgery. “He seems to be doing well and is in a very good mood, as are his mother and grandmother who are there,” Hotsul said. Anthony Johnson has more to offer from this perspective: “Police were investigating up to four packages that were initially suspected, but were later found to be unfounded.” This morning, Sunset Park passengers were attacked by an unreasonable act of violence, “said Brooklyn President Antonio Reynoso. “As always in a time of crisis, Brooklyn experienced the rapid response of our city’s first responders, including the MTA, NYPD and FDNY. I’m deeply moved to see the Sunset Park community gather during this time of tragedy – the “Brooklyn stands with I will continue to work with local authorities and elected officials as more details of the attack are confirmed and the perpetrator has been found.” There have also been subway breaks throughout the area on many lines. Trains D, N and R all have local stops again, but continue to bypass Station 36th Street. Service B and W remain suspended in both directions. CLICK HERE for the latest MTA service updates. Lucy Yang has more on the holiday break: An FBI official says they are helping the NYPD and that it does not appear to be linked to terrorism at this time, but FBI headquarters are monitoring. This latest incident comes as New York City has seen a series of high-profile shootings and incidents in recent months, including the city’s subway. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of the train by a stranger. Adams has made crime-fighting, especially in the subway, the focus of his early administration, pledging to send more police to stations and platforms for regular patrols. Notify NYC urges anyone who may not be able to contact someone who may have been affected to call 311. If you are outside of New York, call 212-639-9675. ABOUT Witnesses describe chaotic scene after New York subway shootings ———- * More news from Brooklyn* Send us a news tip* Download the abc7NY application for emergency notifications * Follow us on YouTube Submit a news tip Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.
