The man who opened fire in a New York City subway, shooting 10 people and injuring 29 total, in April, 2022, received 10 life sentences in prison on Thursday.
Police and investigators work at the scene of the shooting at the 36th Street subway station on ... [+]
Frank James, 64, pleaded guilty in January to terrorism charges after he opened fire on an N train during rush hour the morning of April 12, 2022.
While entering his plea, James said he meant to “cause serious bodily injury” and not kill anyone.
During the trial, prosecutors argued James did “careful and prolonged planning” ahead of the attack and, once on the subway car, created a “kill funnel” that would allow him to shoot without someone taking his weapon, the New York Times reported.
Ten life sentences matched what prosecutors asked the judge for; the defense asked for 18 years, arguing he was severely mentally ill and emphasizing he never intended to kill.
On the April morning, James disguised himself as a construction worker and boarded an N train, reportedly discouraging people from sitting by him to create the “kill funnel” described by prosecutors, the Times reported. James detonated multiple smoke bombs and began to shoot a handgun while the train was between stations, nearing the 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Train riders suffered injuries from gunshots and smoke inhalation. James deboarded the train with others and there was no surveillance footage because the MTA cameras weren’t working—but he left behind evidence including unused smoke grenades, a gun and clothing. A 31-hour manhunt ensued as officers looked for James and he was arrested the following day after calling authorities on himself, telling them he was at a McDonald’s near 6th Street and First Avenue on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The attack heightened concern about crime on the subway among New Yorkers just as rider rates were increasing post-pandemic and led to MTA increasing cameras in its stations to ease fears.