Brooklyn Subway Attack Weapon Recovered; Police Error May Have Allowed The Shooter To Escape, Source Says

Sixteen people sustained injuries in a shooting on Tuesday morning at a Brooklyn subway station.

The unidentified attacker, who was wearing a gas mask and a green construction vest, detonated a smoke bomb and opened fire at Brooklyn's 36th Street station during the rush hour period, according to authorities.

Sources and officials say a weapon, as well as a bag containing smoke canisters and fireworks, were recovered at the scene, adding to the theory of a planned attack on transit riders in New York City.

NBC New York reported that a source close to the investigation said that the suspect's gun may have jammed, sparing further deaths. However, it is not yet clear what kind of gun was used in the shooting, as well as the number of shots fired by the suspect.

There were no fatalities reported, but among the gunshot victims, five were reported to be in critical condition as of present writing.

Witnesses reported the entire train car smelled like gasoline, and MTA sources stated they smelled the same thing, but the law enforcers recovered no gas cans from the crime scene.

After launching an attack, the shooter remained on the loose for more than five hours.

NYPD Answers 'Police Error' Allegation

Rolling Stone reported that an NYPD source claimed that a police blunder may have allowed the suspect in the Brooklyn subway rush hour shooting to flee.

When the train arrived at 36th Street, victims streamed out onto the platform as smoke billowed from the train car from smoke bombs discharged by the shooter wearing a gas mask. However, according to reports, the local duty captain of a Brooklyn South patrol did not stop all trains from entering and exiting the 36th Street station, which serves as a transfer hub for the N, R, and D lines.

On Twitter, the NYPD responded, saying that the allegation is "factually wrong."

"Speculation is not helpful to our inquiry, the victims, or the citizens of NYC, especially in the midst of a crisis. To go to safety and seek help, the victims on the train relied on the subway continuing to the next station," the NYPD tweeted.

New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell asked for the public's assistance in obtaining information about the gunman, who is still at large, as per a BBC report. She also noted that the incident "is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time."

Biden Administration Offers Assistance

Meanwhile, United States President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting incident. White House officials had coordinated with New York City Mayor Leroy Adams and the NYPD, according to a report from New York Daily News.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki posted on Twitter that the administration would "offer assistance as needed."

Over the past two years, US cities have reported a troubling rise in gun violence incidents.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that such "insanity" has to end.

"We say no more. No more mass shootings. No more disrupting lives." Hochul remarked after the subway violence.

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New York, New York City, Subway, Shooting, Brooklyn, NYPD