Frank R. James is now officially a suspect in the New York City subway shooting on Tuesday morning that injured at least 23, including 10 commuters who are recovering from gunshot wounds. Others are being treated for smoke inhalation, panic attacks, and injuries from falling. All are expected to survive.
The 62-year-old James was initially considered ‘a person of interest’ after investigators found a credit card with his name on it at the 36th Street station in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, where the brief attack terminated. A key to a U-Haul van James recently rented was also recovered at the scene.
The New York Times reports:
Mr. James rented the van in Philadelphia sometime over the past several days, the police said. The abandoned van was found by the police late Tuesday afternoon about five blocks from the Kings Highway station, where the police say the gunman boarded the train.
In addition to firing 33 shots from a 9mm handgun as his subway car approached the 36th Street station, the police allege James – clad in a gas mask, construction vest, hard hat, and gray hoodie – tossed two smoke grenades to disorient his victims. Before fleeing, he allegedly left behind two additional smoke grenades, as well as consumer-grade fireworks, gasoline, and his gun.
“A fireworks seller in Racine, Wis., said several brands of consumer-grade fireworks similar to the ones left behind were purchased last June by a man named Frank James,” reports The Times.
The Frank James being pursued by the NYPD has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin. There’s a $50,000 reward for his capture.
“We’re going to catch this person, and we’re going to bring him to justice and hold him responsible for this horrific act,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, told CNN.
The Times reports:
Mr. James was described by neighbors as quiet and gruff. He appeared to have posted dozens of videos on YouTube, where he riffed off news events in long, vitriolic rants. He blamed Black women for violence among Black people and pointed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as evidence that whites are genocidal.
In a video posted to YouTube on March 1, the person featured in the video criticized Mr. Adams for recently announced policies addressing public safety in the subways.
The Associated Press adds:
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts “concerning” and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test Sunday.
Adams said Wednesday that investigators were zeroed in on finding James.
“We are going to continue to close the loop around him and bring him in, and continue the investigation into this horrific act against innocent New Yorkers,” the Democrat said on MSNBC.
Adams said additional police offers are being deployed to New York City’s subways. The AP reports:
The [36th Street] station was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence. Commuter Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director some two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.
“I said, ‘God, everything is in your hands,’” Jacques said. “I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.”
The subway system as a whole was operating normally on Wednesday, with police checking backpacks at some stations, including the Atlantic Avenue/Barclay’s Center hub.
