Brooklyn shooting update: Frank James ordered to be held behind bars in first federal court appearance
James, 62, is charged with terrorism on a mass transportation system over Tuesday’s Brooklyn subway attack
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Suspected terrorist Frank James appeared in Brooklyn federal court for the first time on Thursday where a judge ordered him to be held behind bars until his trial and his lawyers requested he undergo a psychological exam.
Mr James, 62, is charged with terrorism on a mass transportation system over Tuesday’s Brooklyn subway attack where he allegedly shot 10 people before going on the run for 30 hours.
The suspect was finally arrested in Manhattan’s East Village on Wednesday afternoon when he called CrimeStoppers himself to tell police he was at a nearby McDonald’s.
Officers descended on the fast food joint to find him gone, before taking him into custody nearby along St. Mark’s Place and First Avenue.
Mr James is accused of injuring around 30 people in Tuesday morning’s rush hour attack in Sunset Park.
The gunman donned a gas mask on a packed N train travelling to Manhattan and opened a gas canister, before opening fire as the train travelled into 36 Street station.
His motive remains unclear but disturbing YouTube videos show Mr James ranting about Mayor Eric Adams, the subway system and NYC’s mental health system.
Brooklyn residents describe ‘heartbreak’ after subway shooting injures
Brooklyn residents speak to The Independent’s Richard Hall about their “heartbreak” over the subway shooting in their neighbourhood.
President Joe Biden praises response of civilians who helped each other amid subway attack
President Joe Biden praised the response of civilians who helped each other amid Tuesday’s horror subway attack.
“Jill and I — my wife and I are praying for those that are injured in all of those touched by the trauma,” he said on Tuesday afternoon in Iowa.
“We are grateful for all of the first responders who jumped into action, including the civilians.
“Civilians who did not hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them. Our team has been in touch with the New York police commissioner and the department of justice is working with the NYPD on the ground.
“They’re going to continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days.”
He added that investigators are “not letting up on until we find out and we find the perpetrator”.
Fox News host complains about ‘ghost gun’ crackdown amid live stream of Brooklyn shooting coverage
A Fox News host complained about the president’s “ghost gun” crackdown during a live stream of the Brooklyn shooting coverage.
As a live stream showed the massive police response to Tuesday’s shooting, anchor Stuart Varney called on Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade to discuss Joe Biden’s push against the untraceable firearms.
“Bearing in mind the situation that is developing in New York City right now, what’s your reaction to the president’s crackdown on ghost guns?” Mr Varney asked.
Mr Kilmeade said the focus on ghost guns was an insult, adding that law enforcement officials he spoke to recognise the issue but that targeting the weapons won’t address the root cause of gun violence.
“It’s like blaming the car for a drunk driver. Yeah, ghost guns are a problem. Of course! If you have an unmarked gun that was put together with parts, yeah,” Mr Kilmead said.
“Most of our audience could get a ghost gun, and not have it registered. But you’re not going to be killing anybody. The problem is the criminal mind, and the punishment that they know is not coming,” he added.
Mr Biden announced the new crackdown on ghost guns on Monday and called for new laws to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Hero commuters helped carry each other to safety
Amid Tuesday’s terror, hero commuters bravely carried each other to safety and administered first aid to those wounded in the mass shooting.
Cellphone footage from the scene showed people assisting their fellow New Yorkers inside the train carriage and on the station platform in the aftermath of the attack.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber praised MTA staff and subway riders who helped people out of harm’s way, saying that it reminded him of the way New Yorkers came together during the September 11 terrorist attacks.
“We saw New Yorkers in a difficult situation and emergency helping each other,” he said in a press conference.
“That’s the subway riders, that’s who New Yorkers are every day.
“New Yorkers of all varieties can come together in small spaces [like the subway] and get along and create something bigger.”
Bomb squad called to U-Haul connected to subway shooter
Law enforcement source says NYPD has located U-Haul van sought in Brooklyn shooting, according to AP. The bomb squad is on its way to the scene.
Schoolchildren reunited with parents following day-long lockdowns
Children have been reunited with their parents and schools have closed for the day without incident following a day-long lockdown in schools around Brooklyn.
The Department of Education said earlier on Tuesday that several schools had gone into a shelter in place in response to the shooting.
Suspect was subject of FBI investigation: Report
The suspected shooter was reportedly known to law enforcement and was the subject of an FBI investigation, according to Newsweek.
“Subject was a previous FBI Guardian Lead out of NM, interviewed multiple times and eventually closed out in 2019.” Allegedly this means the suspect was the subject of FBI inv and known to them.
Watch: U-Haul located
The van has been located on Kings Highway. The bomb squat is en route.
NYC warns of ‘mass disruptions’ as bomb squad investigates U-Haul van
New York City Emergency Management warned the city of “mass disruptions” as the bomb squad investigates a U-Haul van linked to the shooter.
“Expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions & emergency personnel near West 3rd Street & Kings Highway, Brooklyn. Avoid the area.”
Watch: Biden praises hero NYC commuters
“We’re grateful for all the first responders who jumped into action, including civilians who didn’t hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them” - Joe Biden.
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