Multiple people shot, 13 injured as undetonated devices found at Brooklyn subway station
Police responded to reports of a shooting at 8:27 a.m. in the vicinity of 36th Street and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood.
NEW YORK — Over a dozen people were injured during a shooting Tuesday morning in a Brooklyn subway station where officials found “undetonated devices.”
At least 13 people were injured in the rush hour incident and undetonated devices were found in the station that connects to the D, N and R subway lines in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The extent of the commuters’ injuries and how many of the 13 victims were shot remained unclear.
Police responded to the shooting at 8:27 a.m. and the area was quickly cordoned off and surrounded by fire trucks and police vehicles. NYPD counterterrorism units and officials from the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force were also on the scene though officials had not yet released a motive for the attack.
The NYPD is looking for a person wearing an orange construction vest and gas mask, according to The New York Times.
The terrifying incident occurred amid a spike in shootings in New York City, while Mayor Eric Adams — who has banked his mayoralty on combating crime — remained in isolation Tuesday after testing positive for Covid-19 over the weekend. In recent weeks, Adams has ordered police officers to patrol subway stations and trains following several acts of violence.
Adams is monitoring the situation, said City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy. But the mayor, who has been quick to deliver press briefings at the scene of high-profile crimes, was not joining the police commissioner at a press briefing because of his ongoing quarantine.
“While we gather more information, we ask New Yorkers to stay away from this area for their safety and so that first responders can help those in need and investigate,” Levy said in a Tuesday tweet.
All schools in the area are currently in a shelter-in-place mode, according to a spokesperson for the city Department of Education.
President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the situation, said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
“White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Sewell to offer any assistance as needed,” Psaki said in a Tuesday tweet.
Council Member Alexa Avilés, who represents the area where the shooting occurred, said she is on the scene and that the investigation is underway, including evaluating what types of undetonated devices were found in the station.
“It’s pretty scary information, particularly at the time it happened and everyone impacted,” Avilés said in a Tuesday phone interview with POLITICO. “The thing to tell folks is to stay put, emergency services is here, they are investigating and everyone is doing everything they can. People who have been impacted will be supported and we’re checking in on their status to make sure they are okay.”
Sally Goldenberg, Max Tani and Madina Toure contributed to this report.