Gunman at large after 10 people shot, 29 left injured during NYC morning commute in Sunset Park
By Khier Casino
April 12, 2022
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include videos and a quote from NYC commuter Will Wylde.
Several people were shot and at least 29 people injured at a subway station during the Tuesday morning rush hour in Sunset Park in Brooklyn, New York.
The shooting occurred at 36th Street Station around 8:24 a.m., according to the New York Police Department.
Will B. Wylde, who captured footage of the incident while commuting to work this morning, told NextShark that he first thought it was a fire.
“Didn’t realize there was shooting until everyone got out and I saw the blood and heard the people talking who were in the car,” he said.
Police described the shooter as a black male, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, wearing a gas mask, a green construction vest and a gray hoodie.
The attack began in R46 Car 5551, as the train pulled into the station. The man took a canister out of his bag, and the train filled with smoke. That’s when he opened fire.
Early reports mentioned undetonated explosives were also found, but the NYPD said in a statement: “In regard to the multiple people shot at the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn, there are NO active explosive devices at this time.”
An emergency alert from the NYPD warned people to avoid the area of 3rd Avenue to 5th Avenue from 20th to 40th Streets in Brooklyn.
Police were looking for a U-haul van in Gravesend, Brooklyn, at Kings Highway near West 4th Street. It was carrying Arizona plate #AL31408 and may be connected to the subway shooting.
The incident is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time, NYC Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during an afternoon press conference.
Authorities said that there are 29 total casualties, 10 with gunshot wounds and five in critical but stable condition. Injured commuters were rushed to NYU Langone of Brooklyn, Maimonides Hospital, Kings County Hospital and Methodist Hospital.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was also present at the press conference and asked New Yorkers to be “vigilant and alert,” as the shooter is still at large.
Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement, “We’re praying for all New Yorkers who were injured or affected by today’s attack…. NYPD is searching for the suspect at large, but we will find him. But we ask the public to come forward with any information that may help us in this investigation.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy offered similar sentiments, saying, “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with our partners in New York to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), who represents New York’s 7th Congressional District, said prayers are not enough, and urged Congress for more gun control laws.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tweeted that President Biden is aware of the subway shooting in Brooklyn and that senior staff are working with Adams and Sewell to provide help.
As of 2019, more than 130,000 people lived in Sunset Park. The population consisted of 34.8% Asian, 3.9% Black, 35.6% Hispanic and 23.7% white, according to neighborhood profiles at Furman Center.
NextShark has reached out to MTA for further comment. This is a developing story.
Additional reporting by Maina Chen.
Image: Getty
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