A manhunt is underway in New York City after a gas mask-wearing gunman opened fire on passengers on the subway.
As the train approached Brooklyn's 36th Street station at 8:30am local time, smoke started filling in one of the cabins.
A man described as being 165cm tall 'with a heavy build' reportedly opened a gas canister, which caused havoc inside as people panicked.
The suspect was wearing 'a green construction vest and a grey hooded sweatshirt' and he put on a gas mask to allow him to breathe easily amongst the chaos.
He then pulled out a weapon and started shooting at people indiscriminately as they clambered to get out of the train.
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NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell says the gunman shot at people inside the carriage and also on the subway platform, which left trails of blood everywhere.
“The suspect was in the train car, the shooting began in the train car," the Commissioner said.
“As the train was pulling into the station, the subject put on a gas mask. He then opened a canister that was in his bag and then the car began to fill with smoke. After that he began shooting.”
Twenty-nine people have been injured in the mass shooting. Ten were shot, with five of those victims in critical but stable conditions, according to FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh.
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There were also multiple people treated for smoke inhalation and shrapnel wounds, according to CNN.
A person who uploaded a video to social media said it was a horrifying experience because it all happened so fast.
Yav wrote: "I was on the cart of the train with said smoke and explosions. A lot of blood on the floor.
“Sounded like fireworks, I couldn’t tell if it was gunshots, but the smoke made it hard to see anything.”
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Another witness tweeted: "I was heading into 36th Street Station in Brooklyn when a young guy who was bleeding from the legs said people were injured and bleeding. I'm safe, almost back home."
The NYPD has since confirmed no active explosives have been found since starting their investigations.
The suspect was able to get away undetected and now there is a large-scale hunt for the individual.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said: “This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous.”
The FBI is now collaborating with the NYPD and they said they will be following 'every viable lead'.
Topics: News
Stewart Perrie