Brooklyn shooting: Several people injured at New York subway station
At least 16 people were injured following a shooting on a subway platform in New York City on Tuesday, authorities said, adding that "several undetonated devices" were also found.
A passenger at the 36th Street station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighbourhood told Middle East Eye that the incident took place at around 8:30am local time, during the morning rush hour. According to the NYPD, "The incident is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at the moment."
"I am not ruling out anything," NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference. "We are figuring out what the motive is."
The NYPD explained that as the train was approaching the platform, a man put on a gas mask and opened a canister. When smoke filled the air, he shot multiple people both inside and outside the train.
Elizabeth, who did not want to give her last name, told MEE that there was a scene of "chaos" when her train stopped at the station.
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"The train stopped and all I could hear were people screaming. I didn't know what was happening but people were trying to jump inside our train from the other train," she said.
"I thought there was a bomb blast. Someone screamed that someone was shot. I saw someone bleeding just laying on the ground. I have never seen anything like this before."
Fire personnel found multiple people shot and undetonated devices after responding to reports of smoke at the station.
Photos from the scene show bloodied passengers lying on the station floor.
According to the New York City Fire Department, 16 wounded people were taken to hospital. Ten of them were shot.
Shortly after the incident, the New York Police Department blocked off several streets in the area as the FBI and other law enforcement officers combed the area for the suspect. Helicopters could also be seen flying low.
In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said US President Joe Biden had been briefed "on the latest developments regarding the New York City subway shooting".
"White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor [Eric] Adams and Police Commissioner [Keechant] Sewell to offer any assistance as needed."
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