UPDATE:
On Wednesday afternoon, suspect Frank R. James was arrested and taken into police custody. He was apprehended in the East Village in Manhattan, law enforcement said.
On Tuesday morning our city was attacked.
At around 8:30 a.m., during rush hour, a subway passenger who was wearing a gas mask, neon orange construction vest, and gray sweatshirt, deployed smoke and began firing at passengers on the N train at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park.
At least 29 people were injured; none received life-threatening injuries, however there are 5 victims who are in critical condition. Among those were several children, who received comfort and support from Governor Kathy Hochul when she visited them in Maimonides Hospital.
"We have to ensure this specter of gun violence in our streets and in our subways ends once and for all," Hochul said.
A handgun, smoke devices, a hatchet, a can of pepper spray, a bag full of fireworks, and other items were found at the scene.
Authorities believe that the suspect was in possession of at least two extended magazines. It is suspected that the weapon jammed, preventing the shooter’s rampage from continuing.
The investigation was disrupted by the fact that security cameras recording the 36th Street Station were not operating. There was a “malfunction with the camera system at that particular station,” Mayor Eric Adams told WCBS 880 radio.
However, investigators found a credit card at the scene, which they believe belonged to the shooter. One of the charges on the credit card was for a U-Haul van out of Philadelphia.
In the afternoon, the van was spotted on West 3rd Street on Kings Highway. Buses running on Kings Highway were stopped and shut down, passengers evacuated from them, and cops closed the surrounding streets. Helicopters were seen flying over the area, and bomb squads promptly arrived on scene but the van was found to be empty.
The van belongs to Frank R. James, 62, who as of Wednesday morning is considered a suspect according to the NYPD and Mayor Adams.
Throughout the day, the incident has had a rippling impact on students and teachers citywide. Principal Cohen announced during 6th period that all administrators and guidance counselors, herself included, will be available to speak to all students emotionally affected by today’s events. Guidance counselors have advised students to visit new.mta.info for assistance with planning trips to their destinations.
Subway lines including the B, W, N, D, and R have been fully or partially suspended, with others experiencing significant delays. According to the MTA, these holds are due to ongoing police investigations.
The effects of the attack were not only limited to logistical setbacks, however. Apprehension has grown over safety in subway stations throughout recent years. Many parents have expressed their concerns with allowing their children to commute via the MTA system, with teachers sharing the hesitations to ride the subway as well.
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