NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — During a dispute between two men on a Brooklyn A train that shifted from verbal to physical, one man was shot in what may have been an act of self-defense on the part of the shooter, and the injured man is undergoing surgery in critical condition at an area hospital.
The incident occurred on a northbound A train that was approaching Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets subway station in Boreum Hill, Brooklyn at about 4:45 p.m., police said.
NYPD officials held a press conference early Thursday evening to give details about the shooting. Chief of Transit Michael Kemper reminded those watching that the information is based off of a preliminary investigation, and detectives are still on the scene interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence.
A 32-year-old man entered the northbound A train at Nostrand Avenue, and was approached by a 36-year-old man who was already on the train, police said.
“This 36-year-old male was described by multiple witnesses as being aggressive, and provocative towards the 32-year-old that just got on,” Kemper said.
Words were exchanged between the two men, and the altercation became physical. At one point, the 36-year-old displayed "either a knife or razor blade" to the 32-year-old, before putting the weapon down and continuing the verbal dispute.
At some point, the 36-year-old removed a gun from his jacket and began walking toward the 32-year-old "in a menacing way" while yelling at him, before the fight turned physical once more.
"During this physical confrontation, that gun, we believe, was removed from the 36-year-old by the 32-year-old, and the 32-year-old fired multiple shots striking the 36-year-old,” Kemper said.
The 36-year-old was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn in critical condition to undergo surgery, police said.
Officials said that when the train pulled up to the platform, there were multiple police officers at the station who were on the scene in seconds. They provided medical assistance, requested an ambulance and began gathering witnesses.
According to police, the 32-year-old man is in custody with detectives. Kemper said that it is unclear what potential charges he could face if the act was done in self-defense, and police will need to collaborate with the district attorney's office to make a detemination.
Kemper speculated that the two men were strangers, but their relationship is unknown at this time.
While there were 34 cameras at the station, there were no camera on the train car. Police are searching through video captured by witness cellphones.
There were people on the subway car, though the exact count is yet to be determined. Kemper said it could be a dozen or two dozen witnesses.
Joyce Philippe, a journalist with ABC, was present when the shooting occurred. She posted videos to X of subway riders ducking and attempting to shield themselves on the train as police responded.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber took the opportunity to promote gun control legislation, and thank Mayor Eric Adams and those who are working to get guns off of New York City streets.
“The real victims are the people I saw in those videos, who are having a harrowing time because they are on a train with somebody with a gun. Even if he’s fighting somebody else, they’re afraid for their lives. They’re just trying to go about their lives. So get rid of the guns," Lieber said.
Officials warned New Yorkers to avoid the area of Hoyt and Schermerhorn streets, and that A, C and G trains would bypass the station as the investigation continues.