

“I'm definitely shook,” the 15-year-old said. High school student John Butsikaris was riding that other train and initially thought the problem was mundane until the next stop, when he heard screams for medical attention and his train was evacuated. In Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden praised “the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians, civilians who didn't hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.”Īfter people streamed out of the train, quick-thinking transit workers ushered passengers to another train across the platform for safety, transit officials said. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, warned at a midday news conference.

It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nation's busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut. The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun crimes and the ever-present threat of terrorism. 25 video criticizes Adams' plan to end gun violence. 20 video says the mayor and governor's plan to address homelessness and safety in New York City's subway system “is doomed for failure” and refers to himself as a “victim” of the mayor's mental health program. Several videos mention New York's subways, and Adams is a recurring theme.Ī Feb. One, posted April 11, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed to change things. Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with Black nationalist rhetoric, violent language and bigoted comments, some of them directed at other Black people. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Essig said. That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. Investigators believe the shooter's gun jammed and kept him from firing more, said two law enforcement officials who weren't authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.Įssig said police found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van. Fonda is a broadcast engineer for Gothamist's owner, public radio station WNYC.

Passengers in the smoke-filled car pounded on the door to an adjacent car, seeking to escape, rider Juliana Fonda, who was in that adjoining car, told the news site Gothamist. A rider's video shows a person raising an arm and pointing at something as five bangs sound. Sitting in the back of the train's second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Essig said. Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was “not ruling out anything.” The shooter's motive was unknown. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries. “I'm just grateful to be alive,” he said.įive gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. Passengers wept and prayed as they rode, Javier said. When the train pulled into the station, people ran out and were directed to another train across the platform. Then there was another pop, people started moving toward the front of the car, and he realized there was smoke, he said. Jordan Javier thought the first popping sound he heard was a textbook dropping. The attack transformed the morning commute into a scene of horror: a smoke-filled underground train, an onslaught of at least 33 bullets, screaming riders running through a station and bloodied people lying on the platform as others administered aid. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts “concerning.”

James, 62, had any link to the subway attack.Īuthorities were looking at the man's apparent social media posts, some of which led officials to tighten security for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Police were trying to track down the renter of a van possibly connected to the violence.Ĭhief of Detectives James Essig said investigators weren't sure whether the man, identified as Frank R. NEW YORK (AP) - A gunman wearing a gas mask set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets inside a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn, wounding at least 10 people Tuesday, authorities said.
