Frank James, the man wanted for allegedly opening fire on a subway train during morning rush hour on a Brooklyn train, was arrested in Manhattan Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
“We have it,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced at a news conference. Police received a tip that the suspect was in the East Village at a McDonald’s on 6th and 1st. Avenue, police said.
Officers did not capture him at the McDonald’s, but drove through the area and saw him at St. Marks Place and 1st. Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident, police said.
New York: identify and search for “person of interest” after subway events
James, 62, was the subject of an intense search by the Marshals Service and other federal and local agencies.
The shooting unfolded on a Manhattan-bound N subway shortly before 8:30 a.m. as the train approached the 36th Street station.
Just witnessed the subway shooter Frank James being arrested in the middle of the East Village…crazy…. pic.twitter.com/g5CJsUpUSF
— chimichurri (@Ayy_Korobow) April 13, 2022
In the ensuing chaos, James eluded police by boarding an R train that stopped at the station and traveled one stop before exiting at the 25th Street station, according to the NYPD’s chief of detectives, James Essig.
The suspect was then seen at a Park Slope Metro stop at 9:15 am before disappearing, Essig said.
The man put on a gas mask on the train and set off a smoke bomb before pulling out a pistol and firing 33 times, a police official said. Three teenagers were among those shot. The gun is believed to have jammed.
“From a preliminary investigation, we believe he was alone,” Adams said on “Good Morning America.” “We still don’t know the motivation of the suspect,” said New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell. “Clearly, this individual boarded the train and was intent on violence.”
The 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol James allegedly used was legally purchased in 2011 in Ohio, law enforcement sources said. The gun and purchase of a gas mask on eBay are among the pieces of evidence that elevated James from person of interest to suspect, the sources said.
Authorities also discovered a series of social media posts and videos linked to James. They’re studying them to see if they’re relevant to the subway attack.
James has been charged by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn with terrorism-related crimes, authorities said.
