How was it
The incident occurred at around 08:30 local time, at the 36th Street subway station during rush hour. How transmits On NBC New York, the train had not yet arrived on the platform when the attacker wore a gas mask and threw a device that began to emit green smoke onto the floor of the car. Thereupon, the suspect opened fire on the people in the vehicle.
“The smoke instantly spread all over the car. There was blood on the floor, many traces of blood. At the time, I didn’t think it was firing because it looked like fireworks. People rushed to each other and pushed to get to the doors, one of the passengers told CNN.
According to him, there were about 40-50 people in the car.
Foot-Smith, an eyewitness, said that after the smoke bombs went off, the train braked at a red light and only then proceeded towards the station. This allowed the smoke to spread further in the car so people could no longer see each other.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams thinksHe said the attacker first used a smoke bomb to distract others and cause chaos. When the train arrived at the station, there was a real panic among the passengers, people began to scatter along the platform in clouds of smoke. According to law enforcement sources, some of the injured jumped on another train to go to the next station.
An eyewitness, 15-year-old John Bucicares, who arrived at the 36th Street station on another train saidWhen the doors opened, the conductor on his train started shouting at the people on the platform to run inside. “People told me ‘be careful on the train,’ but I’ve never experienced it myself until now. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe on the train again,” said the youth.
Patrick Berry, 41, another eyewitness, says that a stampede started at the station, and people fled somewhere in the crowd. According to the FDNY (New York City Fire Department), at least six people were injured, not shot, in the stampede.
When everything calmed down, police found several inactive smoke grenades in the car where the attack started. Police found no explosive device.
The NYPD said they did not classify the incident as a terrorist attack.
Affected
The suspect injured people both in the subway car and on the platform. Acting FDNY commissioner Laura Kavanagh said a total of 16 people needed medical attention. There are 10 people among them with bullet wounds. Kavanagh added that, in addition to gunshot wounds, injuries range from smoke inhalation to shrapnel and panic injuries.
“Five [пострадавших] They are stable but in critical condition,” he said.
According to NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, no life-threatening injuries were sustained during the shooting.
Previously, the media provided information about the victims of the attack, but this information was not confirmed.
NBC New York law enforcement sources said the gunman’s gun jammed. Maybe that’s why not so many people were injured.
Suspicious
Police said the attacker was a large, dark-skinned man about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and a green vest usually worn by construction workers. Therefore, some eyewitnesses mistook the suspect for a subway worker.
Police told NBC New York that police found and seized the suspect’s gun and his briefcase containing unused smoke bombs.
Despite the police cordoning off the scene, the assailant is on the run. More than 100 police officers, FBI agents and dog scavengers work at the scene.
NBC New York reported that the attacker jumped onto the tracks, according to eyewitnesses. Police have searched the tunnels, but have yet to find anyone.
“This man is still free and this man is dangerous” warned New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
“We will not allow a single person to terrorize New Yorkers. The NYPD is looking for a suspect and they will find him,” the New York mayor said.
Two schools in the attack area were closed and most shops were evacuated.
Authorities’ reaction
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said US President Joe Biden is aware of the situation. “Senior White House officials in touch with the mayor” [Нью-Йорка Эриком] Adams and the Police Commissioner [Нью-Йорка Кичант] Sewall,” he stated.
Psaki added that the Biden administration will “provide assistance through appropriate channels.”
A spokesman for the mayor said that Adams urged New Yorkers to avoid the station area where the attack took place so as not to interfere with the investigation. The mayor of New York also described the incident as “an act of senseless violence.”