Governor Kathy Hochul visits victims of a subway shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Shortly before 8:30 Tuesday morning, firefighters responding to a report of smoke at the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn were met with a grisly scene. Several morning commuters were found wounded and bleeding on the platform. Overall, 16 people were injured, including 10 who had been shot by an unknown gunman.
Gov. Kathy Hochul was in Brooklyn this morning, and spoke alongside police, fire and MTA officials, saying there is an active shooter situation right now in the state of New York.”
“This morning, ordinary New Yorkers woke up in anticipation of a relatively normal day. They left their homes enroute to school, enroute to their jobs and to a normal day. That sense of tranquility and normalness was brutally disrupted by an individual so cold hearted, depraved of heart that they had no caring about the individuals that they assaulted as they simply went about their daily lives,” Hochul said. “This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous. They are asking individuals to be very vigilant and alert.”
“The people of the entire state of New York stand with the people of this city, this community, and we say no more. No more mass shootings. No more disrupting lives. No more creating heartbreak for people just trying to live their lives as normal New Yorkers,” Hochul continued. “It has to end, and it ends now.
“We are sick and tired of reading headlines whether they are mass shootings or the loss of a teenage girl, or a 13 year old. It has to stop. I am committing the full resources of our state to fight the surge of crime, and the insanity that is seizing our city because we want to get back to normal. It has been a long hard two years. That’s what we crave. That sense of stability and normalcy and this is what the mayor and I are going to continue to work towards.
“I thank the partners, the brave people of the MTA, the first ones who had the sense, the drivers of the train, to leave the station, to make sure no more victims could be hurt. The NYPD, FDNY, State Police, everyone involved in this has one purpose, which is to stop the insanity of these crimes.”
At approximately 8:30 am this morning, an individual on the train at the 36th Street station donned a gas mask. He then took a canister out of his bag and opened it, filling the train with smoke. He then opened fire on the individuals around him. Injuring people on the train car as well as on the platform. He is reported to be a Black male, approximately 5 foot 5 inches tall, with a heavy build, he was wearing a green construction vest and a gray sweatshirt.
The smoke that the firefighters had originally been called to investigate had apparently arose from a smoke bomb that the perpetrator had set off to disorientate the victims before firing into the crowd.
Footage showed subway passengers running out of the subway cars, many supporting the bodies of those who have been injured.
The incident is not currently being treated as a terrorist attack.
In a statement from the NYPD; “In regard to the multiple people shot at 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn, there are NO active explosive devices at this time. Any witnesses are asked to call @nypdtips at #800577TIPS. Please stay clear of the area. More provided information when available.
In a statement from Martin Kimani, Kenya’s permanent representative to the UN: “My condolences to the victims and survivors of the attack at the 36th street station in Brooklyn…This great city hosts our UN and we will always stand with it and its people during such moments.
From the office of the public advocate for the city of New York Juumane Williams: “While much remains unclear and the situation is ongoing, we know that New Yorkers were terrorized this morning as their daily lives were struck by violence and fear. I pray for everyone injured in this tragedy, for the people who witnessed this attack, and for the entire community and city.
“I’m speaking with law enforcement and community members on the scene to provide comfort, promote strength, and get answers.”
New York City Council Member Farah Louis, D-Brooklyn, issued the following statement:“As a member of the Brooklyn community, I am devastated by this morning’s tragic violence where at least 16 people were injured during a shooting at a train station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I commend emergency and safety personnel for their prompt response to aid victims and straphangers. I am encouraging commuters to avoid traveling along the N train line in Sunset Park and utilize other means of transportation as investigations on this incident are ongoing.
Congressman Lee Zeldin, who is a Republican candidate for governor, issued the following statement about the events that had occurred today: “Deeply disturbing news coming out of Brooklyn right now. While we await more facts as soon as possible, our hearts are fully with the brave first responders and victims at the scene. Praying for all involved.”
