A man who posted videos on social media decrying the U.S. as a racist place was arrested Wednesday afternoon, a day after an attack on a subway train in Brooklyn left 10 people wounded by gunfire.
Law enforcement officials who weren't authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that Frank R. James was taken into custody in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood. It wasn't immediately available.
James was being sought for questioning because he had rented a van that may have been connected to the attack, but police weren't sure if he was responsible for the shooting. Mayor Eric Adams said in a series of media interviews Wednesday morning that investigators had upgraded James to a suspect, but did not give any details beyond that.
Police said the man fired at least 33 shots with a 9mm handgun after sending off smoke grenades in a crowded subway car. All 10 people wounded in the shooting were expected to survive. Some people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.
The shooter left behind a number of clues, including a gun, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline, and the key to a U-Haul van.
The key led investigators to James, a New York City-area native who had more recent addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin.
The gun used in the shooting was purchased at a pawn shop in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011.
The van was found near a subway station where investigators found the man who had entered the subway system. A law enforcement official said there were no explosives or firearms in the van. The official said that police found pillows and other items that suggested he may have been sleeping or planning to sleep in the van.
A man matching James' description came out of the van early Tuesday morning, and investigators believe he drove up from Philadelphia on Monday. James entered a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag.
In addition to analyzing financial and telephone records connected to James, investigators were reviewing hours of profanity-filled videos James posted on YouTube and other social media platforms as they tried to find out who he was.
James criticizes crime against Black people in a video that was posted a day before the attack.
James says that it isn't going to get better until we make it better.
He says in a video that this nation was born in violence and will die a violent death. There is nothing that can stop that.
The police commissioner called the posts concerning and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolated.
Several of James' videos mention New York's subways. The mayor and governor's plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system is doomed for failure, according to a Feb. 20 video. A video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.
Less than 24 hours after the violence, the Brooklyn subway station was open as usual on Wednesday.
Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.
Jacques said, "everything is in your hands." Everyone is scared because it just happened.
There is a
The reporter was from Washington. Jim Mustian, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price, David Porter, and Michael Kunzelman all contributed to the report.
We can be reached at letters@time.com.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
