Brooklyn, New York – Officials announced that no charges will be filed against a 32-year-old man who shot another individual on a subway. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office stated that the shooter acted in self-defense during the incident, which took place on a crowded subway car. The victim, a 36-year-old man, was reported to have been armed with a knife and a gun while behaving aggressively when he boarded the northbound A train in Brooklyn in the afternoon.
Law enforcement sources revealed that a physical altercation ensued between the two men, potentially over a subway seat, leading to the victim drawing his gun. However, he was ultimately disarmed by the 32-year-old and shot with his own weapon. Video evidence from a fellow rider showed that a woman accompanying the shooter also contributed to the altercation by stabbing the victim in the back.
During the exchange, the victim inquired if he had been stabbed before retrieving his gun from his jacket and confirming the stabbing with the shooter. The situation escalated further, resulting in the 32-year-old wresting the gun away from the victim and firing shots as the train approached the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station. Commuters, as well as individuals on the station platform, took cover during the shooting, which left the victim critically injured but in stable condition.
It was reported that the victim had ten prior arrests and had evaded subway fare before boarding the train armed with a knife and a gun. Authorities are actively seeking the woman involved in the stabbing for questioning and a potential assault charge. Police urged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
The shooting incident occurred shortly after city officials announced the deployment of National Guard troops and State Police troopers to assist in subway safety measures. Subsequently, discussions around enhancing gun control laws have resurfaced, with MTA Chairman Janno Lieber voicing concerns over the surge in violence. As investigations continue, authorities hope to gather more information to understand the circumstances leading to the subway shooting in Brooklyn.