New York police officers have named a “person of interest” in connection with the Brooklyn subway shooting, as a $50,000 reward was offered for information.
Detectives are seeking Frank James, 62, following yesterday’s atrocity in which 29 people were injured when a masked gunman threw smoke bombs and opened fired at commuters in a city subway car.
The gunman fired 33 shots, hitting ten people who are expected to survive.
Officials found a key at the scene which led them to a rented U-Haul truck which was later found in Brooklyn.
Cops have released two photos of James, who has homes in Wisconsin and Philadelphia where the truck was rented, as a manhunt continues.
In a press conference Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said James made “concerning posts” on social media regarding New York City, homelessness and the mayor, Eric Adams.
NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said: “We are endeavouring to locate him to determine his connection to the subway shooting, if any.
“The two crime scenes, the subway and the van, are very active and are still being processed.
“Mr. James is just a person of interest we know right now who rented that U-Haul van in Philadelphia.
“The keys to that U-Haul van was found in the subway in our shooter's possessions.
“We don’t know right now if Mr. James has any connection to the subway. That’s still under investigation.”
Police found a massive haul of weapons discarded at the scene, including a Glock 17, bullets, two detonated smoke grenades and a hatchet.
A $50,000 (£38,000) reward has been offered for information leading to James by NYC agencies.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said: “We are doing everything we can to catch the man responsible for this heinous attack on our riders.
“New Yorkers know that if they see something, they should say something, especially in this case. Justice must be served.”
Horrifying footage showed a smoke-filled platform as panicked commuters fled from the train when a man fell through the train doors and collapsed on the ground.
Smoke billowed out as the train car pulled into the 36th Street station and opened its doors. Riders trapped inside poured out, some falling to the ground. Images showed streaks of blood on the platform.
There are also reports of an explosion nearby with explosive devices also believed to have been found at the scene of carnage.
The mayor, whose security was boosted as a result of James’ social media posts, later blamed gun violence in the US.
He said: ““It’s going to take the entire nation to speak out and push back against the cult of death that has taken hold in this nation.
“A cult that allows innocence to be sacrificed on a daily basis.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell added: “We know this incident is of grave concern to New Yorkers,
“We cannot lose sight of victims in this city. We will use every resource we can to bring those to justice who continue to prey on the citizens of New York.”
