Newly released video footage provides a chilling glimpse into the aftermath of the horrific shooting on a New York City subway train last April, coinciding with the gunman’s guilty plea on terrorism charges.
A Terrifying Scene Unfolds
The video, captured by a passenger, reveals the chaotic scene that erupted after Frank Robert James, 63, opened fire on a crowded Manhattan-bound N train on April 12th.
“Does anyone, does anyone know what that was?” a voice can be heard asking amidst the confusion.
Another passenger, visibly shaken, can be heard saying “That’s a lot of blood, okay.”
Guilty Plea and a Trail of Evidence
The release of the video comes on the heels of James’ guilty plea to 11 federal charges, including 10 counts of terrorism and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Court documents reveal that James initiated the attack by detonating a smoke bomb before firing his 9mm semi-automatic handgun 33 times.
While 10 people were injured in the attack, thankfully, there were no fatalities.
The video, recorded by a passenger identified as “Victim One,” shows individuals tending to the wounded and recounting the events.
“There’s an explosion bomb, black smoke,” a voice on the video exclaims.
Passengers can also be heard identifying the suspect by his attire: “He’s wearing orange, he’s wearing orange.”
This detail proved crucial as subsequent surveillance footage corroborated their accounts, capturing James clad in an orange reflective jacket and hard hat, designed to mimic the appearance of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker.
Months of Planning and a Stockpile of Weapons
Federal investigators have determined that James meticulously planned the attack over several months.
James’s internet search history revealed his research into the New York City subway system, and a search of his residence uncovered what authorities describe as a “stockpile” of weapons.
Justice Served, but Scars Remain
With his guilty plea, Frank Robert James faces a potential sentence of 37 years behind bars, though a formal sentencing date has not yet been determined.
While this verdict brings a measure of closure, the emotional and physical scars of that day will undoubtedly linger for the victims and all those impacted by this terrifying act of violence.
