A federal grand jury has charged a man accused of opening fire on a New York City subway train last month, an incident that left ten people wounded and shook a city already witnessing an increase in violent crime.

Frank James, 62, was charged on Friday with committing a terrorist act or other violence against a mass transportation system as well as firing a firearm during a violent crime by the panel. The maximum sentence for both crimes is life in prison. The mandatory minimum sentence for the firearms count is ten years.

On April 13, almost 30 hours after investigators claim he drove from Philadelphia and threw smoke bombs and dozens of bullets at a train carrying morning commuters as it approached a Brooklyn station, James was apprehended. The victims of the incident varied in age from 16 to 60, and all were expected to live.

Authorities said they found James’ bank card, mobile, and the key to a hired van near the shooting scene. The firearm used in the shooting was also found and traced back to James, according to police.

James is being held without bond. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, an arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

A lawyer for James at the time of his detention advised against jumping to conclusions, noting that James had informed authorities of his whereabouts. James was caught in Manhattan’s East Village after calling a tip line to report that he was at a McDonald’s in that neighborhood.

The attack’s purpose is unknown. James, who is Black, made prejudiced remarks against people of diverse origins in multiple rants he aired on YouTube. He also screamed about New York Mayor Eric Adams and complained about mental health care he had in the city years ago.

Image Credit: Getty

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