Several people were shot when gunfire was opened during morning rush hour on riders inside a Brooklyn subway car on Tuesday morning.
At least 16 people have been injured during the shooting incident in Sunset Park at 8.30 am, according to the authorities.
According to reports, the gunman was wearing a gas mask and orange construction vest. One of the witnesses speaking to The New York Post described the accused as a “5-foot-5 black man, around 170 pounds.”
She said that the accused fired several rounds that she “lost count.”
Shortly before 8.30 am, the gunman is believed to have thrown a smoke bomb into a southbound R train at the 25th Street Station in Brooklyn and started shooting as the doors of the train closed.
“At 8h 27 police responded to a 911 call of a person shot in the subway” in Brooklyn, a New York police spokeswoman told AFP.
Social media reports said that a fire was lit on a train. While other reports claimed that some undetonated devices were spotted at the site.
Gruesome photos and videos emerged on social media, showing people writhing around on the blood-stained 36th Street platform waiting to be taken to the hospital.
New York Police Department said in an advisory: “Due to an investigation, avoid the area of 36th Street and 4th Avenue area in Brooklyn. Expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area.”
But the NYPD said there are “no active explosive devices”.
A joint team of FBI and New York Police Department (NYPD) has been formed and rushed to the site to determine whether the incident was a terrorist attack.
New York City police commissioner Keechant Sewell told reporters that the incident will not be investigated as an “act of terrorism”.
He added that the victims’ injuries did not appear to be “life-threatening”.
“I want to begin by assuring the public that there are currently no known explosive devices on our subway trains, and this is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time 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.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the latest developments regarding the New York City subway shooting, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tweeted.
White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Sewell to offer any assistance as needed.
NYPD Executives and City and State Officials provide an update on the shooting incident in Brooklyn.
Mayor Eric Adams said in a video message Tuesday that the NYPD will hunt down the Brooklyn subway suspect, saying: “We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized even by a single individual.”
In a video message, Adams said the still-at-large suspect “detonated smoke bombs to cause havoc.”
Hizzoner offered his prayers to the injured victims and also thanked first responders at the scene.
“First, let me say we’re praying for all New Yorkers who were injured or affected by today’s attack. So far, we know that we have a multiple numbers of injuries, including victims of gunshot wounds,” Adams said.
“I wish to thank all of the first responders who responded to the scene or at the local hospitals, helping with today’s incident. You are what makes New York the greatest city in the world, and I thank you for supporting your fellow New Yorkers.”
Adams added that he’d been in constant communication with NYPD, FDNY, EMS, emergency management and other city agencies, as well as state and federal officials since the attack unfolded.
(With inputs from agencies)
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
