NEW YORK (PIX11) — The NYPD is temporarily doubling the number of uniformed police officers patrolling New York City’s subway system following a subway shooting in Brooklyn Tuesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams said.
Adams said the added security was meant to help quell fears the public may have about riding the subway after a gunman shot at least 10 people on a subway train in Sunset Park.
“We have to match their concerns with the safety that they deserve and the safety that they need,” Adams said. “Today, one step that we’re taking is we’re going to double the amount of uniformed officers there.”
On a northbound train just before 8:25 a.m., a man put on a gas mask, pulled out a canister and opened fire as smoke filled the train, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.
Twenty-three people were injured, officials said. Seven men and three women were shot by the suspect, who fired his weapon 33 times. An additional 13 people suffered smoke inhalation and injuries related to the rush to flee the shooter.
A person of interest, 62-year-old Frank R. James, was named in connection with the attack. He was not a suspect, as of Tuesday evening, police said. Police said James’ name was on a U-Haul rental from Philadelphia. The key to the U-Haul was found on the train where the attack occurred and the van was found in Brooklyn Tuesday afternoon.
The incident was not being investigated as a terror attack, officials said.
PIX11’s AJ Jondonero, Aliza Chasan and Nicole Johnson contributed to this report.
