Jonathan Allen and Maria Caspani

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Police and federal agents were on the lookout for a suspect who sent smoke bombs off and sprayed passengers in a subway train to New York City with gunfire. He left behind more than 20 injuries.

As the Manhattan-bound N Line train pulled into Brooklyn’s Sunset Park station, an attack broke out. This was the latest spate of violent incidents that have plagued Brooklyn’s public transit system over the past few years.

Police stated that 10 victims were directly struck by gunfire. Five of the five were in critical condition and are now stable. 13 other people suffered from respiratory distress, or were injured during the rush of panicked riders who fled the subway car filled with smoke.

A few injured passengers fell on the platforms at the 36th Street station as they tried to get onto it.

Police said that all victims would survive. They also announced in an evening press conference that they were offering $50,000 in rewards for any information that leads to the arrest or conviction of one suspect.

Initial investigations focused on the U-Haul van that was found parked in Brooklyn hours later. Police also identified Frank James as the “person of interest”, who is believed to have rented this vehicle in Philadelphia.

According to police, the keys to the van were found at the crime scene. James also had addresses in Philadelphia as well as Wisconsin. Reuters attempted to contact James’ phone number but was unsuccessful.

New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell stated to reporters that the NYPD was not treating the incident as a terrorist act immediately.

Although there was no motive, investigators discovered a series of posts on social media that were linked to Frank James. These included mentions of homelessness as well as the New York City Mayor, Sewell stated.

Police from eyewitness reports described the subway attacker as being a heavy-built man wearing an orange vest and a grey sweatshirt as well as a surgical mask.

According to the commissioner, the attackers started in the train car just as the train was about entering the station. Two canisters were taken from the gunman’s bag, and he opened them. Smoke was released into the train car.

The man fired 33 rounds using a Glock 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. It was later found with three additional ammunition magazines, some consumer fireworks, and a gasoline container.

CNN reported that the gun jammed during the shooting. This could have prevented a greater number of casualties. CNN also reported local media outlets, which cited law enforcement sources.

New York City witnessed a dramatic rise in violent crime since the pandemic. This includes a number of apparently random attacks on its subways. There were a few incidents in transit violence, in which people were shoved onto trains from platforms. One example was a Manhattan woman who was murdered as part of the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Eric Adams, Mayor of New York, has pledged that he will improve safety in the subway by expanding police patrols and mental health outreach programs. He called Tuesday’s violence “senseless” and pledged double the number assigned to security.

Kathy Hochul, New York Governor, pledged to use “all the resources of our state” against this “surge of crime and insanity which is fueling our city.”