New York shooter Frank James indicted on terrorism charge

Bronx native suspected of injuring 23 people could face life in prison if convicted

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  Police circulated images of Frank R James, 62, after the mass shooting in Brooklyn, New York. EPA

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  Emergency crews at the entrance to the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn, after the rush-hour shooting on Tuesday. AP

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  Police and fire officials at the scene in New York. EPA

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  Several people were shot, with wounded commuters left bleeding on the platform. EPA

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  At least 13 people were injured. AP

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  Officers with dogs trained to sniff out explosives were among the police at the scene. AP

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  Sniffer dogs at the station. AP

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  Police and fire crews at the scene. EPA

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  The fire department said 13 people were injured, while police said at least five had been shot. AFP

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  Heavily armed police at the cordoned-off station. Getty

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  Onlookers stand behind the cordon. Getty

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  Rush-hour commuters were caught up in the incident. AFP

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  Bomb disposal experts arrive at the station. EPA

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  Emergency services vehicles outside the scene of the shooting. AP

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  Police and rescue workers crowd the street outside the station after the shooting. AFP

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  New York commuters wait for a subway train after the shooting. Reuters

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  A police officer and dog check a subway station in Manhattan after the Brooklyn incident. Reuters

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  Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers carry out checks in Manhattan. Reuters

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  Stations throughout the network were on alert. Reuters

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  Police and security officers on patrol at Manhattan's 42nd Street station. Reuters

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  Heavily armed police at the scene of the shooting in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighbourhood. AFP

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  Emergency workers at the scene of the shooting. EPA

A US federal jury has indicted Frank James on terrorism and other charges stemming from an attack on a New York City subway last month that injured 23 people.

The indictment in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York charges James with conducting a terrorist attack and other violence against a mass transport system as well as discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

If convicted on the terrorism charge, James could face life in prison.

Lawyers representing James did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

James is accused of setting off smoke bombs and shooting 10 people inside a New York City subway car in Brooklyn. Thirteen others were injured in the rush to escape the violence, police said.

Police located James eight kilometres from the attack on 36th Street Station, 30 hours after a manhunt was launched.

Officials said they had tracked him down after receiving tips from residents who recognised him from photos released by the police.

James also alerted police to his whereabouts, telling authorities on a hotline that he was at a McDonald's restaurant in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

A Bronx native, James has 12 prior arrests that occurred between 1990 and 2007, the New York City Police Department said. He was previously arrested on a felony but was not prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

The gun used by James in the attack was purchased at an Ohio pawn broker in 2011. Authorities recovered the firearm at the scene along with three extended-ammunition magazines, a torch, a hatchet, fireworks and a container of petrol.

Police also found James's bank card, mobile phone and a key to a U-Haul van he had rented.

The motive for the attack remains unclear. In numerous rants he posted on YouTube, James, who is black, made bigoted remarks about people of various backgrounds and railed against New York Mayor Eric Adams while complaining about the mental health care he received in the city years ago.

A federal judge ordered James to be held in jail without bail and an arraignment date has not yet been set, the US attorney’s office for New York’s Eastern District said.

Agencies contributed to this report