Shooting in the New York subway: the suspect shot dozens of times, they are still looking for him

Passengers on a train bound for Manhattan had to dodge bullets on their morning commute to work on Tuesday, April 12. A man wearing a gas mask and construction vest detonated two smoke bombs and fired at least 33 bullets on a subway train during rush hour. CNN.

The train was approaching the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park around 8:30 a.m. when the shooter activated two smoke bombs and brandished a 9mm pistol. The gunman fired at least 33 shots, injuring 10 people, seven men and three women, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James W. Essig.

These 10 people were taken to district hospitals. Essig said another 13 people were injured as a result of smoke inhalation, falls or panic attacks. Hospital officials said at least 29 people were injured in Tuesday's shooting. The necessary medical care was provided to them in three nearby hospitals. According to doctors, the injuries do not threaten their lives.

“We saw how a quiet Tuesday morning turned the N train into a war zone when a smoke bomb was detonated and several shots were fired,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said. And he added that the quick response of passengers and rescuers saved the lives of the victims.

Five of the victims were students on their way to school. Kathy Hokul told reporters about this near the Maimonides Medical Center. She said she met with a 12-year-old, a 13-year-old, a 16-year-old and two 18-year-olds at the hospital, which is the only pediatric trauma hospital in the area.

A credit card and keys to a U-Haul van that was rented in Philadelphia were found at the scene, police said. Both items helped investigators find a U-Haul van in Brooklyn's Gravesend neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. The sappers neutralized the van and then took it to the location of the forensic medical examination. The FBI, NYPD and others will be able to inspect the vehicle in a controlled indoor environment.

The name of the suspect was established, but he himself was not found

The NYPD has identified a 62-year-old man named Frank James as a "suspect" in the shooting. James is the tenant of a U-Haul found in Brooklyn. It has addresses in both Wisconsin and Philadelphia, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said Tuesday.

“Mr. James is just a man who rented this U-Haul van in Philadelphia,” Essig said. “The key to this U-Haul van was found on the subway in our shooter's belongings. At this time, we don't know if Mr. James has anything to do with the subway incident. This is still being investigated.”

The van was rented Monday from a U-Haul store in Philadelphia, according to company records. The lease obtained by CNN shows that the U-Haul booking was made on Wednesday and was due to be picked up on Monday at 14:01 pm. According to the booking, the van was to be rented for two days. Records show that James rented the van using a Wisconsin license with an address in Milwaukee.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said there are several social media posts by James mentioning homelessness, New York and Mayor Eric Adams. According to Sewall, the mayor's security was beefed up due to excessive caution.

Later at the scene, investigators found a 9mm Glock pistol, three extended magazines, two detonated smoke grenades, two non-detonated smoke grenades, an axe, and a lift key. With the help of this evidence, it was possible to establish that the van is located in Brooklyn.

Anthony Valentino, who lives a block away from the metro station, said he saw rescuers near his house.

“I saw two people holding a man who was covered in blood. His hands were covered in blood, he was in shock, walking like a zombie before sitting on the floor,” Valentino said. “I felt terribly sorry for him.”

Authorities offered a $50 reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter, who police said was believed to have acted alone.