Multiple people were shot at a subway station in New York's Brooklyn on Tuesday (local time), the city fire department said.
Preliminary reports indicated that five people were shot, a law enforcement official said. The police were seeking a man with a gas mask and an orange construction vest, the official said, reported The New York Times. The violent episode heightened simmering fears about public safety that have hindered New York City's push to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The attack took place during the Tuesday morning rush at the 36th Street stop in Sunset Park.
@POTUS has been briefed on the latest developments regarding the New York City subway shooting. White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Sewell to offer any assistance as needed.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) April 12, 2022
Police officers were called to the 36th Street subway station, where the D, N and R lines pass through the Sunset Park neighbourhood, at around 8:30 a.m., a Police Department spokeswoman said. They had also received reports of smoke inside the station, reported The New York Times.
Transit officials said that trains on the D, N and R lines would be delayed because of an unspecified investigation.
Inside 36th street station at #sunsetpark #newyork #brooklyn pic.twitter.com/BUegFQz2F3
— Dani (@daanniix0) April 12, 2022
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the city's subway, said no additional details were immediately available.
A spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams declined to comment as reports were still preliminary.
