Indiscriminate Shooting on New York Subway During Commute... Bounty of 61 Million Won on 62-Year-Old Male Suspect

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joeslgina] A random shooting incident occurred on the subway in Brooklyn, New York during the morning commute, injuring at least 10 people, and on the 12th (local time), the identity of the suspect was revealed. The New York Police Department (NYPD) identified the suspect as Frank James, a 62-year-old Black male, and offered a $50,000 (61.48 million KRW) reward.

According to the NYPD, around 8:30 a.m. that day, a man wearing a construction site safety vest detonated a smoke bomb inside an N train subway car entering the 36th Street station in Brooklyn, then indiscriminately fired at passengers. The suspect fired at least 33 rounds at passengers and fled through the crowd evacuating as the train arrived at the platform.

The incident, which appears to be a 'random attack,' resulted in 10 people being shot, and at least 13 others were injured due to smoke inhalation, falls, and panic attacks while evacuating. Local media report that at least 29 people were injured. Fire authorities stated that five of those shot sustained serious injuries but are not in life-threatening condition.

It was confirmed that the suspect wore a gas mask before the shooting and took a smoke bomb out of a bag and detonated it. Videos and photos capturing the scene show passengers rushing out onto the platform as the smoke-filled train doors opened. Bloodied passengers were seen collapsed on the subway car floor and the platform. Witnesses told local media, "There was a popping sound followed by smoke," "We tried to escape through the connecting door to another car, but it wouldn’t open," and "Everyone rushed out as the train entered the station."

At the scene, a U-Haul van rental key, a Glock 9mm pistol, three magazines, smoke bombs, an axe, and a liquid presumed to be gasoline were found. The rental car believed to have been used by the suspect was found around 4:30 p.m. near Kings Highway, about 5 miles from the 36th Street station.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

James, who is wanted by the NYPD as the suspect, is confirmed to have addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia. He is known to have posted dozens of videos on social media over the past few years criticizing New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ policies. Most of the videos contain content about race and violence, including mocking Mayor Adams’ subway public safety policies.

Mayor Adams, who is currently in isolation due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, said in a video message that day, "Gun violence is a national problem that New York City alone cannot solve," adding, "It is not just a New York City problem. Anger, violence, and ruthless shootings are America’s problem. Efforts at the government level are necessary."

With public safety in New York deteriorating recently and shootings increasing sharply, the random subway shooting during the morning commute is expected to heighten citizens’ anxiety. So far this year, there have been 296 shooting crimes in New York through June 3, an increase of about 14% compared to the same period last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.