iStockPolice hunting a gunman who left at least 23 people injured in a New York City subway station shooting have released the name of a “person of interest”.
The attacker threw a smoke bomb onto a train as it arrived at Brooklyn’s 36th Street before firing 33 shots at passengers as they frantically tried to make their way out of the station.
Police say ten of the injured people were shot with a further 13 suffering from smoke inhalation and injuries sustained during the initial panic following the incident that took place at 8.30am (local time) on Tuesday.
Five are described as being in a critical but stable condition.
Videos taken at the scene showed victims lying in pools of blood as the station filled with smoke.
The masked gunman, who was wearing a green construction-type vest, helmet and grey sweatshirt, fled the scene and remains at large.
The NYPD has now identified Frank James as a “person of interest” who is wanted in connection with the shooting.
Officers say the 62-year-old, who has not officially been named as a suspect, had rented a U-Haul van in Philadelphia.
A key to the van was found in a collection of items on the train that they believe belonged to the gunman, including a handgun, a hatchet, fireworks and a liquid believed to be gasoline.
Police found the van abandoned on a street around five miles from the station where the shooting unfolded on Tuesday afternoon.
James Essig, the Police department’s chief of detectives, said in a news conference at police headquarters that the “person of interest” remains at large.
“We are endeavouring to locate him to determine his connection to the subway shooting, if any,” chief Essig said.
He is believed to have addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin.
On Tuesday NYC Police commisioner Keechant Sewell said: “An individual donned a gas mask, he then opened fire striking multiple people on the subway and on the platform.”
She also confirmed that the incident is not being treated as an act of terrorism.
It was also confirmed that none of the injured are believed to be in a life-threatening condition and officers are still working to establish a motive.
The ten gunshot victims made the shooting the worst in the history of the New York City subway.
A $50,000 (£38,500) reward has been offered for any information that leads to the arrest of the shooter.
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