Dec 21, 2022 - Politics & Policy

Accused Brooklyn subway shooter to plead guilty to terrorism charges

Shawna Chen

Photo of police holding onto a handcuffed man as he gets into a police car — Suspected subway shooter Frank James is escorted by the FBI and NYPD officers after being arrested on April 13, 2020 in New York City. Photo: John Lamparski via Getty Images

Frank James, the man accused of carrying out a subway shooting in April, will plead guilty to terrorism and firearms charges in connection to the attack, according to a letter filed by his lawyers on Wednesday.

The big picture: James initially pleaded not guilty to one count of terrorism and one count of discharging a firearm during the assault but now "wishes to schedule a guilty plea," the letter said. The mass shooting in Brooklyn injured at least 23 people and led to a 30-hour manhunt.

Details: The New York Police City Department said James, 63, fired his handgun at least 33 times on the crowded subway platform. No one was killed in the incident.

After a federal grand jury upgraded the indictment, James now faces 10 counts of terrorism — one for each of the 10 people shot in the attack — as well as the firearms charge.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum punishment of life in prison.
James' attorney did not immediately respond to an Axios' request for comment.

What's next: A federal judge has scheduled a change-of-plea hearing for Jan. 3, the New York Times reports.

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Accused Brooklyn subway shooter to plead guilty to terrorism charges

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