Multiple Shot on Brooklyn Subway

At least five people were shot Tuesday on a moving Brooklyn subway by a man in a gas mask and orange construction vest who may have tossed a smoke canister on the platform to distract the rush hour crowd, according to NYPD officials and senior law enforcement officials. They stress the investigation is preliminary.

The shooter was not in custody an hour and a half after he opened fire on the train as it approached the 36th Street and Fourth Avenue station in Sunset Park around 8:30 a.m. Police were combing through subway tunnels, based on some witness reports he may have jumped to the tracks, but the gunman remained on the loose hours later.

Two of the five shooting victims were said to have been seriously wounded. The extent of the other victims’ injuries wasn’t clear. As for the other people who were hurt, officials said their injuries likely stemmed from the crowd response to the chaos.

Police described the suspected shooter as a man about 5 feet 5 inches tall and 180 pounds. Cops believe he acted alone. A motive is under investigation, though right now the all-out manhunt for the gunman is investigators’ top priority.

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Experts say at this early stage that the shooting appears to have been an orchestrated attack, though they caution that much could change rapidly as details develop.

The FDNY says it responded to a call for smoke at the station and found multiple gunshot victims. No details were immediately available on the undetonated devices.

Photos posted to social media showed people bloodied on the platform, and Citizen app footage showed a heavy law enforcement presence at the scene.

Some of the wounded jumped on another train to flee to the next station, sources said.

The NYPD warned New Yorkers to avoid the area and to expect emergency vehicles and delays. Power was shut off on the N/R Line from 59 Street to Atlantic Avenue and major delays were reported on the B, D, F, N, Q and R lines. W service is suspended.Multiple people have been shot in a Brooklyn subway station and several undetonated devices have been found at the location, according to fire officials and law enforcement sources

Local schools were placed under a shelter in place order, a Department of Education spokesperson said. It’s not clear how many were affected. No other information was immediately available.

The NYPD is leading the investigation. Federal investigators with ATF and HSI are also on the scene.

According to the White House, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the latest developments regarding the New York City subway shooting. White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Sewell to offer any assistance as needed.