Mass shooting takes place in New York City subway system

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The 36th Street Northbound Platform.
Image: Harrison Leong.
The 25th Street Southbound Platform.
Image: Adam Moss.

Tuesday, at around 8:30 a.m. New York Time (1230 UTC) a mass shooting took place on a train between the 25th Street Station and the 36th Street Station on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York, United States.

At least sixteen people were injured in the incident, out of which ten had gunshot wounds and the remaining six were otherwise injured. According to the latest press briefing by the New York Police Department (NYPD) at the scene, no deaths were reported in the incident. Additional people were treated for smoke inhalation and panic attacks.

According to officials, the gunman, while on the train, had ignited a smoke bomb on the northbound N train and opened fire at the commuters. When the train reached the 36th Street Station, injured commuters collapsed on the platform. Preliminary investigations suggest an additional smoke device was detonated at the 36th Street Station. The NYPD has confirmed there are currently no explosive devices at the scene.

The suspect, who was reportedly wearing a reflective vest and gas mask, fled the scene. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority shut down numerous lines throughout Brooklyn. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also joined the investigation.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has been briefed about the incident. The shooting came amid a rise in the number of shootings in New York, according to NYPD data.


Sources