BROOKLYN, NY – A 20-year-old Brooklyn resident has been taken into custody following his alleged involvement in a rush-hour subway shooting incident. Alexander Villanfana was arrested on Tuesday for the occurrence, which took place on a Manhattan-bound C train on November 28.
In the reported incident, an argument with a 17-year-old boy on the train escalated when Villanfana purportedly pulled out a gun, firing several shots, police said. The teenager was struck in the left hand, and a 57-year-old passenger, who was not involved in the altercation, suffered a gunshot wound to his left ankle. The assailant then fled from the scene, according to authorities.
Both victims were rushed to local hospitals and are in stable condition to date. The entire ordeal disrupted the C train’s schedule, causing it to run express and bypass the Ralph Avenue stop for two hours as police conducted their investigation.
Law enforcement officers apprehended the alleged shooter at his Cypress Hills home on Tuesday morning. He is now awaiting arraignment in the Brooklyn Criminal Court, facing charges that include two counts each of attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.
In light of the arrest, NYC Transit President Richard Davey emphasized the increased security offered by the deployment of more cameras inside subway cars, which will aid investigators in identifying and capturing those who pose a threat to New Yorkers in transit.