UPDATED 4/14 12:55 p.m. ET: In a federal court appearance on Thursday, Brooklyn subway shooting suspect Frank R. James was confirmed by appointed federal defenders to have waived a preliminary hearing. Furthermore, James and counsel have consented to a permanent order of detention, although it was mentioned during the hearing that the issue of bail could be revisited at a later date. Such a scenario, however, is unlikely.
In court documents viewed by Complex, prosecutors further noted that James “presents a severe and ongoing danger to the community and a serious risk of flight.”
His counsel, meanwhile, requested that he receive psychiatric attention while in custody, though not in a competency-determining capacity.
UPDATED 4/13, 7:57 p.m. ET: The Department of Justice’s Eastern District of New York announced that Frank R. James has been charged with committing a terrorist act or other violence on a mass transit system in the subway shooting that took place this week in Brooklyn.
After conducting searches at Pennsylvania properties associated with James, law enforcement officers are said to have found a taser, a blue smoke cannister, 9mm ammunition, .223 caliber ammunition, a high-capacity rifle magazine, and more.
“As alleged, the defendant committed a heinous and premeditated attack on ordinary New Yorkers during their morning subway commute,” United States Attorney Peace said. “All New Yorkers have the right to expect that they will be safe as they travel throughout our great city and use our vital transportation systems. I am grateful to our law enforcement partners, the first responders and the everyday New Yorkers who stepped up during this crisis and showed the best of our city.
If found guilty, James faces a maximum of life in prison.
UPDATED 4/13, 2:00 p.m. ET: Frank R. James is in police custody, ABC’s Aaron Katersky reports.
Hours after the horrific incident, the New York Police Department shared two photos of Frank R. James, a 62-year-old man who’s wanted in connection to the attack that left at least 10 people shot and more than a dozen injured in the Sunset Park neighborhood.
Police reportedly found a Glock 17, three magazines, gasoline, a hatchet, and two detonated grenades at the scene, along with a key to a U-Haul. According to CBS News, the latter item lead authorities to a van with Arizona plates located in Brooklyn. The outlet reports the vehicle was rented under James’ name, but it’s unclear if he had any connection to the shooting.
“Law enforcement has alerted us to its search for a rental van and its possible connection to a suspect in today’s incident in New York City,” a U-Haul spokesperson said in a statement to the Sun. “We are working closely with authorities to ensure they have any and all available information to meet their needs.”
The NYPD described the suspect as a 5-foot-5 Black male who weighed about 180 pounds. He was reportedly sitting in the second car of a Manhattan-bound N train wearing wearing a gray sweatshirt and construction-type vest. As the train approached the 36th Street Station, the gunman opened two smoke canisters, and fired 33 shots. Authorities say five of the victims are in critical, but stable condition.
Police have offered a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest.
See the original story below.
Multiple people were reportedly shot in the subway system in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning.
Per an initial report from regional outlet WABC-TV, at least five people were wounded, with “several” victims said to have been discovered at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park and “at least one other person” at the 25th Street station in Greenwood Heights. A subsequent update stated that at least 13 people had been either “shot or hurt.”
In a statement shared across various channels, the New York City Police Department said citizens should “expect emergency vehicles and delays” in the areas surrounding 36th Street and 4th Avenue. The cause, per the department, is an investigation, the nature of which was not immediately disclosed.
The initial WABC-TV report also mentioned that authorities were reportedly looking into what were described as “suspicious devices” amid a search for the suspect, who is claimed to have been wearing “a gas mask and a construction vest” at the time of the shooting.
Other unconfirmed reports also mentioned an alleged explosion, though details were scarce. It was simultaneously reported that a potential “smoke device” of some sort had been employed.
As for reports of “suspicious devices” having been found at the scene, the Associated Press later quoted a New York City Fire Department rep saying officials recovered several “undetonated devices” when responding to reports of smoke being observed at the Sunset Park station. Elaborating further, a follow-up statement shared to Twitter by the NYPD stated there were “no active explosive devices at this time.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed shortly after news broke on Tuesday morning that she had been briefed on the situation, stating that investigative work will continue with NYPD and MTA officials.
When initially reached for comment by Complex on Tuesday morning, the NYPD’s public information office confirmed only that officers were on the scene and that currently available information pointed to multiple people having been shot. Additional info was not shared.
“While we gather more information, we ask New Yorkers to stay away from this area for their safety and so that first responders can help those in need and investigate,” said Fabien Levy, who serves as Mayor Eric Adams’ press secretary. According to Levy, Adams “continues to be briefed on the situation.”
Shortly after news of the shooting broke, it was confirmed that President Joe Biden had also been briefed, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki noting that the administration will remain in contact with Mayor Adams’ office and NYPD commissioner Keechant Sewell.
