Frank James, 62, pictured after Brooklyn subway shooting as ‘cops find his U-Haul van keys at the scene’
FRANK R James has been named a person of interest in the shooting that took place on a Brooklyn subway train Tuesday morning.
Police are asking anyone with any information about James’ whereabouts to call them at 1-800-577-TIPS. A $50,000 reward is being offered up for any information that leads police to James.
A Glock 17, three Glock magazines, shell casings, bullets, two detonated smoke grenades, two undetonated ones, a hatchet and a U-Haul key was found at the scene, police said.
In a press conference, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said James had made "concerning posts" on social media about New York City, homelessness and Mayor Eric Adams.
Because of this, Mayor Adams, who contracted Covid-19, will have a tightened security detail out of an abundance of caution.
The key is what led investigators to the van, which was found in Brooklyn, however, its connection to the case is currently unknown.
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“Law enforcement has alerted us to its search for a rental van and its possible connection to a suspect in today’s incident in New York City. We are working closely with authorities to ensure they have any and all available information to meet their needs,” said U-Haul in a statement.
Hundreds of detectives are out on the field checking video and combing areas near where the van was found, said the NYPD.
DISTURBING PHOTOS
A man in an orange and green nylon vest set off two smoke bombs and opened fire early Tuesday morning during rush hour on a northbound train in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
A shock picture showed a tote-like bag, believed to belong to the gunman, was recovered at the scene filled with fireworks.
Police were also able to find a jammed Glock and two extended ammo magazines, sources told the , suggesting that more hurt may have been caused if the weapon did not malfunction.
According to NBC, shortly before 5pm authorities located the U-Haul van sought in connection to the shooting. It's unclear where the vehicle was located.
The white truck, which has Arizona plates, was found abandoned in Gravesend on West Third Street near Kings Highway. Police closed off surrounding streets as they await a bomb squad to investigate the van.
Detectives put out an alert for the U-Haul van after they reportedly found a credit card at the scene that they believe belongs to the gunman, the Post reported citing sources.
One of the charges racked up on the car is for a U-Haul rental out of Philadelphia, sources told the outlet.
While cameras in the station were inoperable, it has been reported that officials were able to get a photo of the suspect from a bystander's cell phone video.
Police said the incident is not being investigated as an act of terrorism as of yet, but authorities have not ruled out any motives.
The gunman is believed to have acted alone. A motive is unknown.
As of 5pm, the suspect remains on the loose.
Fire crews first responded to reports of smoke at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park at around 8.30am.
There they found multiple people shot and reports of undetonated devices, FDNY said.
However, Commissioner Sewell later confirmed there are no known explosives on the subway trains.
An emergency alert sent to New Yorkers told them to avoid the area.
CHAOTIC SCENE
The scary scene occurred onboard a Manhattan-bound N train that was arriving at the 36th street station.
A video posted on the Citizen app showed a heavy law enforcement presence at the scene.
The latest violent episode comes amid fears about public safety as New York City struggles to recover from the pandemic.
Photos from the scene showed several people bloodied on the platform.
“My subway door opened into calamity. It was smoke and blood and people screaming,” eyewitness Sam Carcamo told 1010 WINS.
A bystander video shows people lying on the subway platform amid what appeared to be small puddles of blood, as a loudspeaker announcement told everyone on the smoke-hazy platform to get on a train.
Inside a subway car, a person lay on the floor, encircled by others.
Outside the station, a police officer yelled, “Let’s go! Get out of the way!”
'HELP ME'
José Echevarria, 50, an electrician who lives in the Sunset Park neighborhood, got on the R train as normal at 53rd Street shortly after 8am.
“Then I started hearing the shooting and seeing people screaming and running.”
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Police warned New Yorkers to avoid the area and to expect emergency vehicles and delays.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says trains on the D, N and R lines were delayed amid the investigation.
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