Photos Wednesday by Stacie Joy
The NYPD yesterday announced that five people will share the $50,000 Crime Stoppers reward for submitting tips leading to the arrest of Frank James,
the alleged Sunset Park subway shooter.
The names of the individuals, who will receive $10,000 each, were not released by the NYPD.
The amount – cobbled together by the New York City Police Foundation, Transportation Workers Union Local 100, and MTA – is among the larger rewards doled out by Crime Stoppers. The tip line allows anyone to provide leads anonymously and without having to testify in court, according to its website.
Media accounts have speculated that at least two of the recipients will be Zack Tahhan, the security camera installer (
below), and Frank Puebla, the manager at Saifee Hardware & Garden on First Avenue (watch interviews with both men
here ... read this interview with Puebla at
NY1) ... the two were outside the hardware store on Wednesday afternoon when James walked by.
James allegedly shot 10 people on a subway train in Sunset Park
on Tuesday morning. In total, 29 people were wounded in the aftermath on the train and platform.
Per NPR, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said James was charged with one count of violating a law prohibiting terrorist and other violent attacks against mass transit systems. James could face up to life in prison if convicted.
His attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, told reporters after Thursday's hearing: "The initial press and police reports in cases like this one are often inaccurate. Mr. James is entitled to a fair trial, and we will ensure that he will receive one."
Meanwhile, multiple media reports have retraced James' path following the shootings. He was said to be on the Lower East Side Wednesday morning when
a high school student tipped off police to his presence. There were also reports that he ate at Katz's on Wednesday, though a manager told
ABC News that was not true.