NYPD identifies ‘person of interest’ in NYC subway shooting investigation

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has identified a “person of interest” in its investigation of the subway shooting this morning that injured more than 20 individuals.

NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig told reporters on Tuesday that authorities are trying to locate Frank R. James, 62. The department posted photos of him on Twitter, and is asking the public for information on his whereabouts.

Essig said authorities recovered a U-Haul key at the scene, which led to the recovery of a U-Haul van in Brooklyn. James is believed to be the renter of the van. Authorities said the vehicle was rented in Philadelphia.

“The male who we believe is the renter of this U-Haul in Philadelphia is a Frank R. James, male 62 years old, with addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia,” Essig said at a news conference. “We are endeavoring to locate him to determine his connection to the subway shooting, if any.”

At least 23 people were injured in Brooklyn on Tuesday when a gunman opened fire in a Manhattan-bound subway car that was between the 59th Street and 36th Street stations. The suspect also opened two canisters that dispensed smoke throughout the car.

Sewell told reporters that, based on preliminary information, there are posts that may be connected to James that mention homelessness, New York and New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D). She said the mayor’s security detail will be heightened “out of an abundance of caution.”

“Based on some preliminary information there were some postings possibly connected to our person of interest where he mentions homelessness, he mentions New York and he does mention Mayor Adams, and as a result of that and an abundance of caution we’re going to heighten the mayor’s security detail,” she said.

She later noted that the social media posts are not “threats,” but instead labeled them “concerning posts.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said 10 people were injured by gunfire, and 13 others were injured as they rushed to exit the train station or suffered from smoke inhalation. Seven males and three females were shot and taken to hospitals in the area, according to Essig.

None of the injuries, however, appear to be life-threatening, according to the police chief.

Sewell said that authorities do not know the suspect’s motivation, but noted that the individual went on the train and “was intent on violence.” She identified the suspect as a dark-skinned male who was wearing a neon-orange vest and a gray-colored sweatshirt.

He fled the scene after the incident.

In addition to the U-Haul key, a Glock 17 nine-millimeter handgun, three extended Glock-type magazines, three discharged shell casings, 15 bullets, five bullet fragments, two detonated smoke grenades, two non-detonated smoke grenades, a hatchet and gasoline, according to Essig.

A bag holding consumer-grade fireworks and a hobby were also found at the scene, according to Sewell.

Essig said the subway and U-Haul van crime scenes are “very active” and still being processed.

Updated: 8:47 p.m.