By Adrienne Vogt, Aditi Sangal, Melissa Macaya, Veronica Rocha, Maureen Chowdhury and Mike Hayes, CNN
Here’s what you need to know about the arrest of the Brooklyn subway shooter
From CNN Staff
Suspected Brooklyn subway shooter Frank James was arrested today in New York’s East Village neighborhood, officials say, after police received a tip.
James was arrested after an intensive manhunt after authorities recovered a U-Haul van in Brooklyn, which officials believed was rented by the suspect after keys were found at the scene. The shooter’s motive is still unknown, officials say.
James has so far been charged with violating a law that prohibits terrorist and other violent attacks against a mass transportation system, according to the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York. He will be arraigned in federal court.
Ten people were shot at a Brooklyn subway station Tuesday, officials said. Authorities said the suspect put on a gas mask, deployed a gas canister and then began shooting, firing at least 33 times.
If you’re catching up, here’s what else you need to know about today’s developments in the Brooklyn subway shooting:
- Suspect in Brooklyn subway shooting called in the Crime Stoppers tip on himself: The suspect in the Brooklyn subway shooting called in a tip to Crime Stoppers that led to his capture, two law enforcement sources tell CNN. Frank James called in the tip to the police and told them he was at a McDonald’s on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the sources confirmed. Police responded to the McDonald’s and did not find James, the police official said. But upon driving around they spotted him on the corner of St. Marks Place and 1st Avenue and arrested him, officials said at the news conference.
- James to be charged in federal court: The Brooklyn US Attorney said today that the subway shooting suspect will be charged in federal court. Breon Peace, US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said that James will face multiple counts, including the use of a dangerous weapon to cause death and serious injury to passengers and employees on the New York subway system. Peace said that James has been charged with one count of violating 18 U.S.C. 1992(a)(7), which prohibits terrorist and other violent attacks against mass transportation systems. He will face a sentence of up to life imprisonment if convicted, Peace said.
- James to make first court appearance on Thursday: James will have his initial court appearance on Thursday in federal court in Brooklyn, according to John Marzulli, spokesperson for the US attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York. The timing for the court appearance will be confirmed Thursday morning, Marzulli said. James is now in federal custody. CNN has reached out to his federal defender, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, for comment.
- New York governor and NYC mayor react to the news of James’ arrest: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she’s “deeply grateful” that the suspected Brooklyn subway shooter was arrested and is directing state agencies to assist in the investigation, in a statement Wednesday. The statement continued, “My heart is with all those who are injured, their loved ones, and the entire Sunset Park community. The epidemic of gun violence that continues to terrorize communities across this country must end. My pledge to New Yorkers is this: I will fight every day to restore public safety, get guns off our streets, and prevent these horrific acts of violence.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams opened a news conference following the arrest of Brooklyn subway shooting suspect Frank James telling New Yorkers “we got him.”
Brooklyn subway shooting suspect to appear in court on Thursday
Shooting suspect Frank James will have his initial court appearance on Thursday in federal court in Brooklyn, according to John Marzulli, spokesperson for the US attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York.
The timing for the court appearance will be confirmed Thursday morning, Marzulli said.
James is now in federal custody. CNN has reached out to his federal defender, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, for comment.
Suspect in Brooklyn subway shooting called in the Crime Stoppers tip that caught him, sources say
From CNN’s Brynn Gingras and Mark Morales
The suspect in the Brooklyn subway shooting called in a tip to Crime Stoppers that led to his capture, two law enforcement sources tell CNN.
Frank James called in the tip to the police and told them he was at a McDonald’s on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the sources confirmed.
At an earlier news conference Wednesday, an NYPD official said the tip indicated the suspect was at a McDonald’s on 6th Street and 1st Avenue.
Police responded to the McDonald’s and did not find James, the police official said.
But upon driving around they spotted him on the corner of St. Marks Place and 1st Avenue and arrested him, officials said at the news conference.
Authorities believe Brooklyn subway shooting suspect attempted to deface the serial number on gun
Three new images provided by the complaint against accused subway shooting suspect Frank James show several new images, including one of his alleged gun.
One picture also show Jamesí alleged U-Haul travelling over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn at 4:11 a.m. the morning before the subway shooting, according to the complaint.
A third photo allegedly shows James later that morning before the shooting, walking down the street with a yellow hard hat, orange construction jacket, dragging a rolling bag.
The Glock 17 that authorities found at the scene of the Brooklyn subway shooting had scratch marks on its serial number, according to a court document.
A complaint against suspected Brooklyn subway shooter Frank James shows a photo of the Glock pistol with scratches over two areas where a serial number appears, and prosecutors said they believe the marks “appear to reflect that an attempt was made to deface the serial number.”
Prosecutors said in the complaint that they believe the gun was purchased lawfully in Ohio by a man named Frank Robert James, and that it was used in the shooting.
