New York City – An incident at a Brooklyn subway station involved a man being shot multiple times on Thursday afternoon. The shooting occurred around 5 p.m. on the northbound platform of the A/C line at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station. The victim was promptly transported to the hospital in critical condition.
A person of interest was apprehended at the scene, and a firearm was recovered by authorities. Police revealed during a press conference that the man who was shot was initially in possession of the gun. The altercation began when a 32-year-old man boarded the train at Nostrand Avenue and was confronted by a 36-year-old man displaying aggressive behavior. Their interaction escalated into a physical confrontation, with the 36-year-old brandishing a knife and later a gun, prompting the 32-year-old to wrestle the weapon away and shoot the 36-year-old multiple times.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with individuals running, falling, and seeking safety as law enforcement officers arrived to secure the area. Transit Chief Michael Kemper highlighted the swift response of officers who were in close proximity to the incident, arriving within seconds of the shots being fired. Consequently, the subway station was temporarily closed off, disrupting rush hour services.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber condemned the episode as part of a disturbing trend of gun-related violence in the transportation system. He emphasized the impact on commuters who simply want to go about their daily routines without fear. The latest shooting contributes to a rise in violent incidents this year compared to the same period last year, prompting increased security measures, including the deployment of National Guard troops into the subway system by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Concerns linger regarding potential charges against the individual who discharged the firearm and whether his actions will be deemed self-defense. The incident adds to ongoing efforts to address safety concerns and maintain public confidence in utilizing public transportation.