A distressing encounter unfolded on a Brooklyn subway train during rush hour, leading to a shooting that left passengers in a state of panic.
Captured on video by fellow riders, the confrontation between two men escalated into violence, culminating in gunshots as the train neared the A/C Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station.
Witnesses recounted how the altercation began with one man provoking the other with aggressive taunts and racial slurs, eventually drawing a firearm from his jacket.
The intended victim, however, managed to disarm the assailant and fired the weapon, critically injuring the owner of the gun.
Amidst the chaos, passengers, including those with children, desperately sought safety.
According to police, the confrontation started with verbal threats, with one man daring the other to fight back, leading to a physical struggle.
“I’ll beat you up!” yelled the 36-year-old, clad in a black sweatshirt and a yellow baseball cap, directly into the other man’s face, as per videos by bystanders on the subway train.
The 32-year-old, dressed in a yellow shirt and black jacket, attempted to disregard the continuous threats.
However, after enduring nearly two minutes of verbal abuse, he eventually rose from his seat at the rear of the train car and clenched his fist.
As the situation escalated, onlookers pleaded for peace, highlighting the presence of children with cries of “Come on, there are babies on here!”
Despite efforts by travelers to intervene, the conflict reached a breaking point when the 36-year-old man drew a gun from his pocket and shots were fired.
Videos taken of the incident show subway riders crouched on the floor of the train trying to stay out of the way of bullets. People were seen crying and trying to comfort each other. Some riders made a run for it, exiting the train and running up the subway stairs out of the station while others stayed on the floor of the train car waiting for the doors to close.
The 32-year-old man, initially the target of the aggression, was arrested immediately upon the train’s arrival at the station.
No charges have been brought forth at this time.
The 36-year-old instigator was transported to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in a critical condition.
Authorities report that a firearm was found at the scene.
