The suspect in Tuesday’s Brooklyn subway shooting who left 29 people injured has been identified as Frank R. James, who was previously known to the FBI and on the agency’s terrorism monitoring system until 2019.
Suspect now identified in Brooklyn subway shooting
Authorities have now officially elevated a man in the Brooklyn subway shooting from a “person of interest” to a suspect. A massive manhunt is underway for Frank R. James, a 62-year-old African-American male.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) released the name and photo of James on Tuesday night, seeking information on his whereabouts from the public, the Daily Wire reported.
Police found a Glock 9 mm handgun, three extended magazines, two detonated smoke grenades, two non-detonated smoke grenades, a hatchet, and a key to a U-Haul van at the scene, CNN reported. Another news report described the weapon as a .380 handgun and said the items were found inside an abandoned backpack.
Authorities found a rented U-Haul truck five miles from the scene on Kings Highway, Brooklyn. Police traced the car and found it was rented in Philadelphia. Police said James rented the U-Haul truck that was connected to the attack.
Witnesses described a “mumbling” lone gunman who was wearing a reflective vest and a gas mask. He threw smoke bombs into a subway car, then began shooting during the height of the morning rush hour, ABC 7 NY reported.
Cameras in the subway station in the vicinity of the incident were inoperable. However, law enforcement officials were able to obtain an image of the suspect from the cell phone video of a bystander.
At least 29 people were injured, with ten shot in the event. Some people were hospitalized in critical condition, but reports now say none of the injuries are life-threatening.
Authorities said that the suspect fired at least 33 times before the gun jammed, probably saving more lives.
Authorities have not disclosed or speculated on any motive for the attack.
Authorities launch massive manhunt
A massive manhunt is underway by the NYPD, FBI, ATF, US marshals, and other agencies. The NYPD is going door to door in Brooklyn seeking information, checking surveillance camera footage and photographs.
Anyone with any information about the suspect or the incident on the subway is urged to call the anonymous tip line at 800-577-TIPS.
Suspect was on FBI terrorism radar until 2019
James was previously on the radar of the FBI, entered into the Guardian Lead system in New Mexico, according to a federal law enforcement source who spoke to Newsweek.
The FBI system coordinates information between law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity, the Daily Mail reported.
James was removed from the system after he was cleared following multiple interviews in 2019.
