A fight on a packed Brooklyn train Thursday afternoon took a horrific turn when one straphanger wrestled a gun away from an apparent agitator and shot him in the head, police said.
The violence on a rush-hour northbound A train erupted when a 32-year-old man was confronted by an “aggressive” 36-year-old rider after boarding at the Nostrand Avenue subway station at 4:45 p.m., NYPD Chief Michael Kemper said at a press conference.
What started as a verbal argument quickly escalated as the 36-year-old man flashed what’s believed to be a knife or razor before pulling out a gun, Kemper said.
During the struggle, the 32-year-old managed to yank the gun away and he “fired multiple shots,” striking the other man in front of two dozen other commuters on the train car, according to Kemper.
Terrified straphangers ducked for cover in the moments after the shooting, according to video from ABC journalist Joyce Philippe, who was on the train when gunfire erupted.
“Where’s the NYPD, oh my God!” one woman exclaims in the clip.
“Close the door! Close the door!” others pleaded.
“People were crying, praying, huddled amongst each other hoping that the situation would lead to someone being caught and not the worst-case scenario,” Phillipe, who was on another train car, told The Post.
The subway then pulled into the A/C Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station — which houses the NYPD’s 30th transit precinct — and officers with their guns drawn flooded the car, witnesses said.
“People were fearful not knowing if the danger was inside of the train…or out on the platform, but where we were on the train, there was nowhere to go.
It was a very fearful moment,” recalled Phillipe.
The shooter was arrested before he even stepped onto the platform, Kemper said.
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@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Do you believe that under any circumstance a person has the right to take a weapon and use it in self-defense?
@9KWHF2RConstitution2yrs2Y
Self defense until they are lo longer a threat
@9KWK7H42yrs2Y
I do not think violence is the solution to anything. Self defense is about neutralizing a threatening situation, and should not result in murder. Using a non-lethal weapon however, can be necessary in extreme situations.
@9KWGHFT2yrs2Y
there should be more restrictions on how someone can acquire a gun
@9KWKWCY2yrs2Y
I believe that there are some circumstances that it is necessary in but not in all circumstances
Just saw the video of the altercation that led to the subway shooting. The person who was shot with his own gun was clearly looking to harass people and engage in an altercation. Then after someone tries to step in and break up the fight, he pulls a gun.
The real problem is that you have repeat offenders that engage in criminal activity in NYC and are not properly jailed or prosecuted. Just 38 people were responsible for over 1100 transit assaults last year.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@RightsPhilPatriot2yrs2Y
How many arrests and releases will we find out this dirtbag had before endangering everyone on that train? Every time it’s multiple including violent crimes yet they’re still on the street. Meanwhile Bragg and James are focused on Trump. Total clown show.
All those passengers cowering in fear because they know no one will try to help them lest they become the target of prosecution instead of the criminal who started all of this.
That’s what comes from going soft-on-crime while persecuting heroes.
These are dark days for NYC.
@QuirkyC0nsensu5Forward2yrs2Y
They’re cowering in fear because they obey NYC no gun laws criminals don’t. Common sense people live in better states and stay strapped
You would think that if Government wants people out of cars and using more public transit that they would make sure people don’t get shot and stabbed every week.
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