NYC subway shooting suspect held without bail

Frank James, 62, did not enter a plea when he appeared in court Thursday. He only quietly answered that he understood the charges against him. Police say he released a smoke bomb on the crowded subway and fired 33 bullets at commuters. Gunfire and smoke injured 29 people ranging in age from 16 to 60. None of the injuries are life-threatening. Police believe James escaped the scene by hopping onto an outgoing train as victims poured out of the smoke-filled car. A lawyer for James asked the public not to prejudge him, noting that he called himself in on the police tip line.

Was there a reason? Police have not yet determined a motive for the shooting, nor have they found links to terrorist organizations. Investigators said they have hours of profanity-laced videos James posted on YouTube that have since been deleted from the platform. They said James, a black man, frequently ranted about racism, hatred for African Americans, and anger at homelessness programs. Authorities say he mentions shooting people in at least one video. He also addressed a comment to Mayor Eric Adams: “I’m a victim of your mental health program in New York City.” James’ lawyers have requested a psychiatric evaluation.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about what happened on the subway.