Brooklyn Subway Shooter Frank James in Police Custody
The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train Tuesday morning was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after a tipster’s call alerted police to him to a McDonald’s in the East Village. [UPDATE: the tipster was the shooter himself who called police]
Amateur videos posted on Twitter show Frank James being arrested by police after he was located on a nearby street corner just 30 hours after he caused the carnage on a rush-hour train, which left five victims in critical condition and people around the city on edge. “My fellow New Yorkers, we got him,” Mayor Eric Adams announced at a press conference.
At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries. James left behind numerous clues, including the gun, ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline, and the key to a U-Haul van, which led investigators to James.
BREAKING: Frank James, the man wanted for allegedly opening fire on a subway train in Brooklyn, is in custody, sources tell @ABC News.
"He was spotted by bystanders wandering around the East Village." https://t.co/IVXkkUvxCv pic.twitter.com/aKzZK85QX2
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) April 13, 2022
Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning, the official said. Other video shows James entering a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag. Federal investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was purchased by James at a pawn shop — a licensed firearms dealer — in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011.
EXCLUSIVE: Here’s the moment suspect Frank James entered the Kings Highway subway station around 6, Tuesday morning. https://t.co/Rus2dnOuLr https://t.co/tWqUT53mbs pic.twitter.com/LtSPORYMkY
— myles miller (@MylesMill) April 13, 2022
Several of James’ videos mention New York’s subways. A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governor’s plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system “is doomed for failure” and refers to himself as a “victim” of the city’s mental health programs. A January 25th video criticizes Adams’ plan to end gun violence.
[This is a continuing and developing story, please check back for updates]