As prosecutors said to a judge that he had terrorized all of New York City, the man accused of setting fire to a Brooklyn subway car packed with people was held without bail.
Frank James, 62 years old, was brought into Brooklyn federal court in handcuffs. He softly answered standard questions about his understanding of the charges and the purpose for the hearing. Later, his lawyer asked that the public not prejudice him.
James was taken into custody in Manhattan. He called a tip line to report where he was on Wednesday. This was just a day after the horrific rush-hour attack that left 10 people with bullet wounds. Many others were also afraid for their safety on America’s busiest subway network.
Authorities claim he set off smoke bombs and fired dozens of bullets into a morning commuter train. Federal terrorism offense: Attacks on mass transit systems – he was charged. Authorities say that there is no evidence linking him to terrorist organizations, but they are still trying to find a motive.
“The defendant terrorizingly opened fire upon passengers on a packed subway train, disrupting their morning commute in ways the city hasn’t seen in over 20 years,” Assistant U.S. attorney Sara K. Winik stated, apparently referring back to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
She stated that the defendant’s attack was premeditated and carefully planned. It caused terror among the victims as well as our entire city.
Hourari Benkada, who had a bullet wound in his leg, was in hospital while James was at court.
Benkada claimed that he was only feet from the train gunman and that he has had trouble sleeping since. He keeps replaying Tuesday’s horrendous scene in his head.
Benkada, still stunned by the attack, said it in a video interview on Thursday. He was pained as he spoke of his shock.
As smoke filled the subway car, he had his headphones on and music blasting. At first, he thought it was just a small fire. He said that the smoke was a small fire. But it kept growing to black smoke, similar to 9/11, and the entire train was pitch black.
There were then gunshots, screams, and a scramble to safety. Benkada claimed that he tried to protect a pregnant woman during the chaos, but as people moved forward, a gunshot pierced his knee.
All shooting victims are expected to survive, ranging in age from 16-60.
In court papers, James was described by the prosecution as a calculated shooter wearing a disguise. This was a hard-hat-styled jacket and hard hat from a construction worker that were shed immediately after the attack. He fired in cold blood at terrified passengers with nowhere to hide and nowhere to run.
Mia EisnerGrynberg, defense attorney, cautioned against “rushing to judgment.”
She said that initial reports in cases like this can often be inaccurate. She pointed out that James alerted police about his whereabouts 30 hours into a manhunt which included cellphone alerts to general public.
Eisner-Grynberg stated that once he realized he was wanted, he called Crime Stoppers for help.
After a tip by a junior high school student on a class trip to photography, the manhunt started in Manhattan.
Jack Griffin (17 years old) said that he was searching for subjects for photographs when he noticed a man on a bench, carrying a duffel bag and resting in the hustle of Chinatown.
Griffin stated, “As soon I saw him, it was my first instinct to say, ‘That’s him!'” Griffin snapped photos of the man who quickly moved on after he mumbled something. Griffin then sent the photos to police who dispatched officers in the area.
Police received 911 calls about other possible sightings and James called them to report that he was at the East Village McDonald’s. While he was not there when officers arrived, he was spotted by nearby residents and flagged them down as they searched the area. James was located just a few blocks away from McDonald’s.
Zack Dahhan, Mohammad Cheikh and Mohammad Cheikh claimed they saw the man and quickly looked up James’ wanted posters on their phones.
Dahhan stated, “And we said, ‘Oh my God, this guy!'” and a lot of people started to follow him. According to his cousins, they pointed him toward officers.
James’ lawyers accepted Thursday that he would be held in jail, but they said that they could apply for bail later.
Magistrate Roanne Mann, James’ lawyer, requested that James receive “psychiatric attention” and magnesium tablets for leg cramps at the federal jail in Brooklyn, where he is being held.
Authorities believe that James was connected to the attack by a variety of evidence. At the scene of the attack, officers found James’ bank card, cellphone and key to a van that he had rented. The handgun that officers claimed was used in the shooting was also discovered by officers. Tracing records indicate that James bought the gun from an Ohio licensed gun dealer in 2011.
Prosecutors suggested that James could carry out additional attacks. They also noted that James stored ammunition and other gun-related items at a Philadelphia storage facility.
This New York City native was recently living in Milwaukee, Philadelphia and other cities.
Inspectors examined hours of videos James uploaded on social media. In them, he made profane diatribes about racism and society’s treatment Black people. He also spoke out about his past of psychiatric treatment, and complained about New York’s handling of homeless people and gun violence.
Prosecutors noted that he also spoke about shooting people.
