Brooklyn subway shooting: At least 23 injured, including 10 who were shot
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Police and emergency responders near the 36 Street subway station in Brooklyn, New York City, on April 12. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
At least 23 people were injured, including 10 who were shot, on Tuesday morning in a Brooklyn subway station, where the New York City Fire Department said first responders found undetonated devices at the station.
The latest: The shooter fired his handgun at least 33 times, New York Chief of Detectives James Essig said Tuesday evening. Police said they had no one in custody, but they had identified a person of interest.
- The gunman left a key at the scene that resulted in the recovery of a U-Haul van in Brooklyn, Essig said. Police are now searching for the renter of that van, 62-year-old Frank R. James, whom they named as a person of interest.
The big picture: Laura Kavanagh, second in command of the New York City Fire Department, said 16 people in total were treated for injuries, 10 of whom had gunshot wounds.
- She said five were in critical but stable conditions in local hospitals.
Details: New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference earlier Tuesday that the gunman, who is still on the run, put on a gas mask while in a subway train and let off a smoke canister before opening fire on passengers and people on the platform.
- Sewell said the suspect was wearing a green construction vest and a gray hooded sweatshirt. The shooting is not being investigated as an act of terrorism "at this time," she said.
- "We can also report that although this was a violent incident, reportedly we have no one with life-threatening injuries as a result of this case," she said.
Meanwhile, the New York City Police said there were no "active explosive devices at this time" in the 36th Street subway station.
- The 36th Street and 4th Avenue area in Brooklyn was closed down for a police investigation.
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it was assisting New York police in investigating the shooting.
What they're saying: "This is an active-shooter situation right now in the city of New York," Gov. Kathy Hochul said, warning citizens to be "very vigilant and alert."
- "The people of the entire state of New York stand with the people of this city, this community, and we say, 'No more.' No more mass shootings. No more disrupting lives. No more creating heartbreak for people just trying to live their lives as normal New Yorkers," Hochul added.
- "We're praying for all New Yorkers who were injured or affected by today's attack," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who tested positive for the coronavirus Monday and could not attend the press conference.
- "We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual. NYPD is searching for the suspect at large, and we will find him," he said.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that President Biden was briefed on the shooting.
- "White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Sewell to offer any assistance as needed," Psaki said.
- Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas was also briefed, according to a DHS spokesperson.
Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and has been updated throughout.
