Brooklyn subway shooting: More than 20 injured; ‘person of interest’ named
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has released pictures of a “person of interest” as it launched an investigation into Brooklyn subway shooting incident which left more than 20 injured on Tuesday morning (April 12), local time.
According to NYPD chief of detectives James W. Essig, a gunman opened two smoke grenades, fired at least 33 times as the train arrived at the 36th Street subway stadium in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park.
“On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at approximately 8:30 A.M., inside of the subway station located at the intersection of 36th Street and 4th Avenue in the confines of the 72nd Precinct in Brooklyn, a perpetrator is wanted in connection with the firing numerous shots inside of a subway car causing serious injuries to ten people,” Essig said.
The police said they were looking for the suspect named Frank James, who is a black male, aged 62 years.
“This is Frank James who is a person of interest in this investigation. Any information can be directed to @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS,” NYPD tweeted with pictures of the suspect.
This is Frank James who is a person of interest in this investigation. Any information can be directed to @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/yBpenmsX67
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 12, 2022
The police also announced a reward of $50,000 for those providing information on the gunman.
“We need your help to bring the person who shot 10 people on a Manhattan Bound N train today in Brooklyn to justice. The NYC Police Foundation along with the MTA and TWU Local 100 are offering a reward of up to 50K for info leading to arrest and indictment of the perpetrator,” NYPD said.
According to the police, James rented a U-Haul van in Philadelphia. The van keys were found at the place of shooting.
“Mr. James is just a person of interest we know right now who rented that U-Haul van in Philadelphia,” Essig said. “The keys to that U-Haul van was found in the subway in our shooter’s possessions. We don’t know right now if Mr. James has any connection to the subway. That’s still under investigation.”
— Chief James Essig (@NYPDDetectives) April 12, 2022
Reacting to the shooting incident, US President Joe Biden said, “My wife, Jill, and I are praying for those who are injured and all those touched by that trauma. And we’re grateful for all of the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians —civilians who didn’t hesitate to help their fellow passengers to try to shield them.”
“We’re gonna continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days. And something could have broken between now and the last hour — I haven’t heard the news, I haven’t spoken with anyone on my staff, but we’re not letting up on it until we find out, and we find the perpetrator,” he added.
“We saw a quiet Tuesday morning turn an N train into a war zone as a smoke bomb was detonated, and multiple shots rang out,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.
