Authorities name Frank James as suspect in New York City shooting

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - New York City authorities officially named Frank James as a suspect Wednesday in a subway shooting that left nearly two dozen people injured, including 10 who were shot.

The New York City Police Department named James, 62, as a person of interest in the wake of the shooting Tuesday in Brooklyn before officially saying he is a suspect.

Police said on Twitter he "fired numerous gun shots inside an 'N' line subway car at 36th St & 4th Ave subway station causing serious injuries to 10 people."

There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and indictment.

Mayor Eric Adams told NPR that James was upgraded from a person of interest to a suspect based on new information. He did not specify what that information concerned.

“You have a person that carried out a very sick action to harm innocent people in our system," Adams said in a separate interview with the Today morning television show. "We are sure that we are going to apprehend him."

Authorities said the suspect donned a gas mask before taking two gas cannisters out of a bag and opening them, filling a subway car with smoke before opening fire.

In all, officials said 33 shots were fired during the pandemonium that ensued as the train pulled into the 36th Street station in Sunset Park.

Twenty-three people were injured from gunshots, smoke inhalation or injuries sustained while attempting to flee.

Police recovered a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, extended magazines and a hatchet from the crime scene.

Gasoline and a bag of consumer-grade fireworks were also found.