Police Name Person Of Interest In Brooklyn Subway Shooting
The New York Police Department have announced they’re seeking a “person of interest” in connection with Tuesday morning’s (April 12) Brooklyn subway shooting.
According to CNN, officials say they are trying to locate Frank James, who they believe rented the U-Haul truck connected to the shooting and was discovered in the same borough. James reportedly rented the truck in Philadelphia a day prior to the shooting.
"We are looking to determine if he has any connection to the train," NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said, according to the news station. "We know Mr. James rented that U-Haul truck in Philadelphia.”
Additionally, the U-Haul van’s key was discovered at the crime scene in the subway, according to authorities. They say they do not have anyone in custody at the moment related to the shooting.
A gun, magazines, gas canisters and fireworks were recovered from the scene, with the investigation suggesting the gun may have jammed. Police say a total of 33 rounds were fired during the horrific incident.
At least 10 people were shot and 19 were injured Tuesday morning when a gunman opened fire on a New York City subway car during the morning commute. Video showed smoke coming out of the car where the attack took place and witnesses said a suspect wearing a green construction vest, gray hoodie and a gas mask fled the scene. The NYPD has launched a manhunt for the perpetrator and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the suspect in the shooting.
Both President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland have been briefed as of Tuesday (April 12) morning of the shooting and the developments in this case. They have offered federal assistance to Mayor Eric Adams as the situation continues to unfold.
The city, long wary of terror incidents since Sept. 11, 2001, has responded with very tight security on public transportation as parts of New York City have faced an uptick in violent crime. Police, however, confirmed that they do not believe this is a terrorist attack, but the act of a lone individual.
Police were called to the 36th Street station at about 8:30 a.m. in the Sunset Park area of New York’s Brooklyn borough, a diverse working-class enclave. The incident took place on a northbound N train as it pulled into the station which connects the area to other lines running towards downtown Brooklyn and southern points like Bay Ridge and Coney Island.
Investigators believe that the train pulled into the 25th street station and an unidentified man threw a smoke bomb into the car and began firing. When it pulled into the 36th Street station people began to run out of the car to escape, some collapsing onto the platform and others bloodied. No active explosive devices had been found at the scene, according to the NYPD.
