Internet questions NYC’s strict gun laws as shooting at Bronx subway station leaves 1 dead, 5 injured

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

BRONX, NEW YORK: Chaos and panic prevailed among commuters following a rush-hour shooting at Mount Eden station in the Bronx, reportedly occurring around 4.47 pm on Monday, February 12, as per The US Sun News.

Currently, police suspect that the shooting stemmed from a dispute between two groups aboard the train, during which one or two individuals from the groups drew a gun and fired shots. 

The incident resulted in one fatality and left five people injured. After the tragic shooting, Michael Kemper, Chief of Transit for NYPD, briefed reporters on the events that occurred during the incident.

What did Michael Kemper say about the incident?

Michael Kemper briefed reporters on the alleged motive behind the shooting, stating, "There were two groups of teenagers riding a north-bound 4 train when a dispute occurred."

He described how the altercation escalated, explaining, "As the train pulled into the Mount Eden station the doors opened up and at least one of the individuals in that group or in the two groups, took out a gun and fired shots."

He elaborated,"People started running off the train onto the platform and more shots were fired while on the platform and that's when and where our victims were shot."

Kemper then provided details about the victims, stating, one victim, aged 34, succumbed to their injuries at St Barnabas Hospital. 

The injured include a 14-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy, a 29-year-old woman, and two men aged 71 and 28.

He informed that all surviving victims are in a stable condition.

Kemper concluded, "We don't believe this was a random shooting. We believe this shooting stemmed from a dispute between two groups that started on the train."

NYPD searches for shooter who killed 1 and injured 5

As of now, police have not made any arrests, and they have not recovered a firearm. 

The NYPD is actively searching for the shooter and emphasizes that the investigation is ongoing and in its preliminary stages. 

Witnesses reported hearing over 10 shots fired. One witness, Luis Rodrigues, aged 34, stated that he heard two children screaming but ran after witnessing the chaos upon exiting the train. 

He remarked, "It was total pandemonium. It makes you scared to ride the train."

The official X page of NYPD shared an advisory saying, "Due to an active police investigation, please avoid the area of Jerome Ave between Inwood Ave and  Townsend Ave in Bronx, NY which is in the confines of the @NYPD44Pct. Please use alternate routes and expect traffic in the area."

After the NYPD tweeted about the incident, many raised questions regarding the regulations surrounding firearm usage on the subway, "How is this possible when guns aren’t allowed on the subway????"

Another mocked, "Gun laws aren’t for illegal guns!!!"

Woman dials 911 after hearing gunshots

During an ongoing investigation following a shooting incident at the Bronx subway, a woman who declined to provide her name dialed 911 from her nearby apartment and reported seeing three teenage boys on the train tracks after hearing more than 10 gunshots as per NewYorkPost.

“Two of the kids were arguing and one of them took off. The other two just stood there. One of the guys was pacing back and forth and the other guy just sat down."

 As a crowd disembarked from the train, they pointed accusatory fingers at the group and urged them to vacate the tracks.