Report: Alleged subway shooter who was arrested in the East Village set to stand trial in February

Photo by an EVG reader from April 13 

A federal judge today set a trial date for Feb. 27, 2023, for Frank James, who allegedly opened fire on a Manhattan-bound N train in Brooklyn in April. 

Per ABC 7: 

Numerous ideas, photos, records and reports have already been collected by the government and turned over to the defense. James has pleaded not guilty to federal terrorism charges. 

It wasn't immediately clear what his defense will look like. 

James is facing life in prison if convicted of the two charges he faces.

As previously reported, James reportedly shot 10 people on a subway train in Sunset Park on April 12. In total, 29 people were wounded in the aftermath on the train and platform. 

Police arrested James on April 13 on the NE corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place... aided by the actions of several tipsters. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• City honors Saifee Hardware manager Francisco Puebla for role in nabbing alleged subway shooter 

• Report: 5 people are splitting the $50,000 Crime Stoppers reward for Frank James tip

• Report: Alleged subway shooter held without bail after first court appearance 

• Videos: Witnesses describe spotting alleged subway shooter Frank James before his arrest in the East Village

City honors Saifee Hardware manager Francisco Puebla for role in nabbing alleged subway shooter

Francisco "Frank" Puebla, the longtime manager at Saifee Hardware & Garden on First Avenue and Seventh Street, was one of five people honored by the city on Wednesday for their role in helping catch the alleged Sunset Park subway shooter. 

As Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during the ceremony at the Police Department HQ: "Each of these individuals exemplifies the determination and courage that makes us all proud to be New Yorkers. Their actions remind us every day, in every corner of our city, we are surrounded by heroes." 

The five will split a $50,000 reward. (This piece from the Times has more on this ceremony.) 

As previously reported, Frank James reportedly shot 10 people on a subway train in Sunset Park on April 12. In total, 29 people were wounded in the aftermath on the train and platform. 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.

Police arrested James on April 13 on the NE corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place... aided by the actions of Puebla and the other tipsters, Mohamad Cheikh, Zack Tahhan and Jack Griffin. (The fifth tipster asked to remain anonymous.)

You can read our previous posts for more background. 

• Suspect in Sunset Park subway shooting arrested in the East Village (April 13) 

• Videos: Witnesses describe spotting alleged subway shooter Frank James before his arrest in the East Village (April 13) 

• 5 people are splitting the $50,000 Crime Stoppers reward for Frank James tip (April 16) 

Image via @saifeehardware

Report: 5 people are splitting the $50,000 Crime Stoppers reward for Frank James tip

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. 

Per Gothamist: 

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. 

As the Associated Press reported, James tipped off police about his whereabouts on Wednesday. 

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. 

Following his arrest early Wednesday afternoon on the NE corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place, the media descended on the area...

James is currently being held without bail.

Report: Alleged subway shooter held without bail after first court appearance

Photo at the 9th Precinct on 5th Street yesterday by Katie Godowski 

Frank James, accused of opening fire on a crowded subway train in Sunset Park on Tuesday, made his initial appearance in a federal courtroom this afternoon. A U.S. federal judge ordered the alleged gunman to remain in custody. 

Per CNN: 

In court, Assistant US Attorney Sara Winik described the attack as "premeditated and carefully planned" as prosecutors requested James remain behind bars. 

Defense attorneys told the federal judge they consented to him remaining in custody for now but may press again for bail later. The lawyers further asked for a psychiatric evaluation to determine James' medical needs. 

His attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, had this to say: 

"We are all still learning about what happened on that train. What we do know is this: Yesterday, Mr. James saw his photograph on the news. He called Crime Stoppers to help. He told them where he was. 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 receives one." 

James was arrested on the NE corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place yesterday afternoon. According to media accounts, James called the NYPD tip line and told authorities where they could find him. 

Two workers outside Saifee Hardware & Garden are also credited with alerting police after spotting James walking by the store on the SE corner of First Avenue and Seventh Street.

Wednesday's parting shot

Sunset Park subway shooting subject Frank R. James being transported from the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street this evening several hours after his arrest on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place... 

Thanks to Carol from East 5th Street for the photo.

Videos: Witnesses describe spotting alleged subway shooter Frank James before his arrest in the East Village

Top photo from an impromptu press conference on 1st Avenue by Derek Berg

Two men working outside Saifee Hardware & Garden on the SE corner of First Avenue and Seventh Street are being praised for spotting alleged subway shooter Frank R. James minutes before his arrest this afternoon.

As previously reported, James was the sole suspect in the mass shooting on a crowded subway train and platform yesterday morning in Sunset Park. 

At least 30 victims were treated at four local hospitals following the attack, and all but seven had been released as of this afternoon, per Gothamist. 

James, wearing a blue t-shirt and brown pants, was reportedly inside the McDonald's on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. According to the Associated Press and other outlets, James called in a tip himself, telling police where he was. 

He was already gone when the police got to the scene. However, Zack Tahhan, who was working for MACA security integrators installing cameras outside Saifee Hardware & Garden, and the shop's manager, Frank Puebla, spotted the alleged shooter walking by on First Avenue.

Puebla said he flagged down an NYPD cruiser from the 9th Precinct that had just stopped at the light on the SE corner of First Avenue and Seventh Street. James was then arrested on the NE corner of St. Mark's Place and First Avenue without incident.

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy was on the scene and filmed this clip of Tahhan recounting what happened this afternoon...

... and here's Puebla telling his story...  

According to NBC 4, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York is considering filing federal criminal charges in the subway attack. The station reported that one potential federal charge being considered is using a weapon/arson on mass transit/train. 

Meanwhile, Saifee is showing its appreciation for the longtime manager...

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