Summary Statement
 

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at approximately 0824 hours, a lone individual wearing a gas mask and an orange construction vest threw two smoke canisters and opened fire on a Manhattan-bound train as it approached the 36th Street and Fourth Avenue Subway Station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The suspected perpetrator fled from the scene. Law enforcement authorities took him into custody on April 13. The attack left at least 29 people injured, including 10 with gunshot wounds. Additional persons suffered injuries related to smoke inhalation, falling down, and panic attacks. At this time, none of the injuries are reported to be life threatening. 

Attack Overview
 

The attack unfolded shortly before 8:30 a.m., as a Manhattan-bound N train approached the 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York. According to witnesses, seconds after the doors closed, a man in an adjacent car put on a gas mask, dropped two smoke grenades to the floor, and opened fire with a Glock 9mm handgun. New York Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Detectives James Essig, stated that the suspect fired 33 times in total striking 10 people while the train car filled with smoke. According to officials, the handgun may have jammed during the course of the shooting, potentially preventing further loss of life.
 

The suspect then boarded an R train that pulled into the station and traveled one stop before exiting at the 25th Street station. He was seen on surveillance footage wearing a yellow hard hat, orange reflective vest and backpack.
 

After a 30-hour manhunt, the NYPD received a tip saying the suspect was in Manhattan's East Village, at a McDonald's located at Sixth Street and First Avenue. Responding officers did not initially observe the suspect at the restaurant, but the individual was located, with help from several citizens, near St. Marks Place and First Avenue.
 

He was taken into custody without incident.
 

After reviewing the 911 call, investigators believe the suspect may have called the police on himself.

Suspect
 

The suspect has been identified as Frank James.
 

James was known to New York City authorities before Tuesday's attack. He has nine prior arrests in the city dating from 1992 to 1998 for offenses including possession of burglary tools, a criminal sex act and theft of service, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said in Wednesday news conference.

According to Chief Essig, James has also been arrested three times in New Jersey, in 1991, 1992 and 2007 for trespass, larceny and disorderly conduct. However, James had no previous felony convictions so was legally able to purchase a gun.

Charges
 

Frank James will be charged in federal court with one count of terrorist attack  and other violence against a mass transportation system, a charge that can lead to a sentence of life in prison.
 

Further Details 

• Social Media

James has been linked to several rambling videos posted on a YouTube channel that has since been removed. Many of the videos that James uploaded to a YouTube channel included references to violence. The references were directed at a set group of people he believed had maligned him, as well towards  broad societal and racial groups that he appeared to hate.

• Recovered Items

The weapon was recovered at the scene, as was a bag with smoke canisters and fireworks, along with a hatchet, a spray bottle of gasoline and a fuse. Three extended magazines of ammunition were also recovered at the scene: one still in the handgun, one in a backpack and one under his subway seat.

• Camera Issue

Some cameras at both the 36th Street station, where the attack occurred, and the 25th Street station, where James may have fled, were on and recording but weren’t transmitting footage back to Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) headquarters. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said there were "a couple of cameras that definitely had internet hookup linkage problems."

New York Police Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller stated that the cameras were not working “at three stations due to a technical issue.” But he added that this did not significantly hinder the investigation.

Threat Assessment/Aftermath

Social Media Postings and Pre-Attack Indicators
While no profile or series of behavior can correctly predict whether or not an individual is on the pathway to violence 100% of the time, the FBI has studied pre-attack indicator of active shooters over the course of thirteen years and has noted several telling statistics. 

Camera Systems

According to Mayor Eric Adams admitted there was a ‘malfunction’ on the entire camera system in the 36 Street subway station meaning suspected gunman Frank Robert James was not captured on footage at the scene.

VFC Shield reminds its members to periodically check all camera systems used in your homes and businesses.   

Best Practices include:

1. Selection: Make sure your camera is of good quality and installed correctly to ensure proper visibility for current time and recorded viewing. Conducting a site security assessment can help determine your needs.
2. Placement: Consider where previous incidents have occurred when selecting camera installation sites. As blind spots are discovered, budget for additional equipment. Installation also should be secure and not within reach of passersby. 
3. Recording method: Figure out how long you want to keep recordings. Will you use a loop system to record over prior events or will separate tapes be maintained for a set period before disposal or reuse?
4. Real-time monitoring: Decide if your security staff needs monitors for real-time viewing. If so, hold them responsible for monitoring the screens on a regular basis. 
5. Staff training: Make sure employees avoid blocking the camera’s view. What good is a camera placed in a critical area if an employee is obstructing the camera’s lens?
6. Internet Connection: If your cameras are IP cameras, ensure each camera has a strong signal and is transmitting back to it's base.  Check base stations for connectivity issues on a regular basis. 
7. Maintenance and adjustment: Check periodically for equipment condition and adjustment needs. Your security or facilities management personnel should be able to inspect equipment, make minor adjustments (i.e., angle viewing changes) and know how to get equipment professionally repaired or replaced.