Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell spoke at the scene, saying that just before 8:24 Monday morning, an individual on an incoming N train put on a gas mask, released spoke bombs, and opened fire.
The NYPD held a press conference in Sunset Park Tuesday morning after a shooting attack at the 36th Street MTA station serving the N, R, and D lines. The suspect, who was masked, is still at large. Explosive devices were also recovered, and no fatalities have been reported despite injuries to at least 16 people. 10 of those injured are suffering from gunshot wounds, 5 are in critical condition.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell spoke at the scene, saying that just before 8:24 Monday morning, an individual on an incoming N train put on a gas mask, released smoke bombs, and opened fire. The suspect was wearing green construction vest and grey sweatshirt, and is described as being a 5 foot 5 black male with a "heavy build."
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View on XThe FBI and bomb squads were on the scene in the wake of the morning attack, which took place at about 8:30 am. The suspect is thought to be wearing a gas mask as well as a construction vest. Schools in Sunset Park and surrounding neighborhoods are operating under shelter-in procedures.
Police called this a "coordinated attack," according to ABC, meaning that the shooter could have had accomplices, but said it was a "lone gunman" who used smoke devises. Police are actively investigating two subway stations, both the 36th Street and 25th Street stations, both on the same line.
Sewell assured the public that there are currently no know explosive devices on subway trains across the city, and said that the shooting is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time.
Governor Kathy Hochul was on the scene to be briefed, though Mayor Eric Adams did not attend due to his recent positive COVID-19 test results. Hochul used the opportunity to speak against gun violence.
Hochul called the assailant "cold hearted" and "depraved of heart," and said that the suspect had no care "about the individuals that they assaulted as they simply went about their daily lives."
"This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous. We're asking individuals to be very vigilant and alert," Hochul said, adding that this is an active shooter situation.
"I wanted to let him know that the people in the entire state of New York stand with the people of this city, this community, and we say no more," Hochul said, referring to a call with Adams. "No more mass shootings. No more disrupting lives. No more creating heartbreak for people just trying to live their lives as normal, New Yorkers. It has to end it ends now."
"We are sick and tired of reading headlines about crime, whether they're mass shootings, or the loss of a teenage girl, or a 13 year old. It has to stop. I'm committing the full resources of our state to fight this surge of crime, this insanity that is seizing our city, because we want to get back to normal," she continued.
Hochul noted that it's been a "long two years," and that the city craves returning to "a sense of stability and normalcy." She said that her and the mayor will be working towards this goal.
FDNY spokesperson Amanda Farinacci confirmed that the department treated 16 patients at the scene, 10 of which were suffering from gunshot wounds. Five of those 10 are in critical, but stable condition.
When questioned why the incident is being connected to gun violence and not terrorism, Sewell said she is "not ruling out anything."
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