Multiple people shot and ‘several undetonated devices’ were found at New York Subway Station as police search for suspect who fled scene, authorities say.
Thirteen people were injured following a shooting on a subway platform in New York City on Tuesday morning, authorities said, adding that “several undetonated devices” were found. Police later said none were “active explosive devices”.
A suspect, described as a Black man wearing a gas mask and an orange construction vest, fled the scene, authorities said
A representative for the New York Fire Department (NYFD) informed the Guardian that firemen responded to a report of smoke coming from the D, N, and R lines at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, at about 8.30 a.m.
Firefighters arrived to find multiple people shot and “several undetonated devices”.
The spokesperson said 13 people were injured but stopped short of saying how many had been shot.
A spokesperson for the New York police department (NYPD) confirmed that multiple people were shot but could not say how many or their condition.
Officers were searching for the suspect, the NYPD spokesperson said. The suspect was about 5ft 5in and about 180lb, the spokesperson said.
Authorities were expected to release more information from the 72nd police precinct in Brooklyn later, the spokesperson added.
Police urge witnesses to call 800-577-Tips if they have any information.
In Washington, the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said Joe Biden had been briefed “on the latest developments regarding the New York City subway shooting” and added: “White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor [Eric] Adams and Police Commissioner [Keechant] Sewell to offer any assistance as needed.”
In Brooklyn, the NYPD advised the public to “avoid the area of 36th Street and 4th Avenue area in Brooklyn” and to “expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area”.
By 10 a.m., police had blocked off a large section of Fourth Avenue north of 36th Street. Officers blocked automobiles, pedestrians, and cyclists from proceeding past 24th Street, which is more than half a mile north of the shooting location. As a police helicopter hovered overhead, scores of police cars lined the way up to the 36th Street station, lights blazing.
Leo Perez, 44, resides near the subway station on the corner of 36th Street.
“It was just crazy to wake up in the morning and hear every so many people got injured and shot, you hear the helicopters. The not knowing what’s going on – it’s crazy, it’s concerning,” he said.
“That this could happen literally just a few feet from where you live its crazy. I’m very worried still. I just hope they find the person.”
Perez and his neighbors were standing outside his building. A fire engine and police tape blocked the end of the roadway, preventing any automobiles from passing. Workers from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, police, and firefighters could be seen chatting closer to the subway station.
Yav Montano, a passenger who captured video of the train’s smoke-filled scene during the shooting, spoke with CNN. He said he heard what he thought was a string of firecrackers but that what he then saw made him realize what he heard was gunfire.
“All I know is I saw a lot of blood … on the floor of the train car,” Montano said.
Montano estimated about 40 other people were in the car. Many had blood on them, he said, though it seemed not all were wounded but had rather been near someone who was.
Montano said he heard screams. The mask he was wearing to protect himself from contracting or spreading Covid-19 turned black from the thick smoke, he said.
“It was ridiculous,” Montano said. “Stuff like that shouldn’t be happening on the train.”
