The gunman who set off a smoke bomb and opened fire on a crowded Brooklyn subway train remains on the loose.
He was described as a Black male, wearing a gas mask, a green “construction-style” vest over a grey hoodie, and carrying a book bag. He has a “heavy build” at 1.65m (5ft5in) and 81 kgs (180 pounds).
Investigators do not have the identity of the suspect or know his whereabouts, with Governor Kathy Hochul warning New Yorkers the shooter was “still on the loose”.
“This person is dangerous,” she said.
A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek the attack could not be officially classified as terrorism until a motivation was determined.
Two current theories, the source told the outlet, are that he was an MTA employee or was conducting surveillance in preparation for a future attack.
They added he wore an MTA uniform and utility belt, and was seen fleeing in the direction of a Manhattan-bound R train. Subway tunnels were being searched as part of the manhunt. Police also said they are searching for a U-Haul van with Arizona plates numbered AL31408.
“The incident is still unfolding”, said John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism.
A gun, magazines, gas canisters and fireworks were recovered from the scene, with the investigation suggesting the gun may have jammed.
As the manhunt continues, authorities have come under scrutiny for the suspect’s escape as New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that surveillance cameras in the 36th Street station malfunctioned and thus did not capture the attack.
NYPD commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was “not being investigated as an act of terrorism” before later saying she was “not ruling anything out” when pressed by reporters.
“We do not know the motive,” she said.
“As the train was pulling into the station, the subject put on a gas mask, then he opened a canister that was in his bag and then the car filled with smoke. After that he began shooting,” she added.
At least 28 people were injured - 10 of them shot - in the attack at the 36th Street and Fourth Avenue station in Sunset Park. Five are in a critical but stable condition.
The “active police incident” was declared after the shooting, with the NYPD warning people to avoid the area of 3rd Avenue to 5th Avenue from 20th to 40th Street.
The FDNY was called to reports of smoke at the station and discovered multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds at about 8.30am local time.
Authorities investigated reports of “undetonated devices”, but by 10am the NYPD said there were no active explosive devices on the scene.
Dramatic footage posted online showed terrified commuters running away from a subway carriage filled with smoke following the attack. Some lay on the ground suffering from gunshots, shrapnel smoke inhalation and “panic” as people attempted to flee.
Sources said the masked man threw a device in the air before opening fire at the 36th Street station, where the D, N and R lines run through the southwestern edge of Brooklyn overlooking the southern tip of Manhattan.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said the lines would be disrupted as authorities searched for the suspected shooter. The B, F and Q lines also suffered “major delays”.
