A sudden outbreak of gunfire in the Bronx, New York City, turned an ordinary subway journey into a scene of disorder and distress during the evening rush hour.
The shooting occurred on February 12, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m., when a dispute between two groups of teenagers escalated into deadly violence at the Mount Eden subway station.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has yet to make any arrests in connection to the incident that started on a northbound No. 4 train and spread to the platform and nearby streets. The NYPD is currently searching for three individuals believed to have fired 19 rounds from 9 mm handguns in what is thought to be a gang-related conflict.
Witnesses to the event described a horrifying scene with bullets ricocheting off subway walls, causing panicked passengers to scramble for cover.
The incident claimed the life of Obed Beltran-Sanchez, a 35-year-old believed to be a homeless innocent bystander, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. Five other individuals, ranging in age from 14 to 71, were injured in the shooting. Among them was a 14-year-old boy who may have been involved in the altercation. All the injured were quickly transported to nearby hospitals and are reportedly in stable condition, with survival expected for all.
One of the wounded individuals, 28-year-old Alpha Diallo, initially mistook his gunshot injury for an electric shock. Diallo, who got caught in the crossfire after ending a phone call with his sister, sustained a bullet wound to his right arm. “He’s in a lot of pain,” his sister revealed outside St. Barnabas Hospital, adding that Diallo is receiving intensive post-surgery care.
“At first, he thought he’d been electrocuted,” his sister said, recounting Diallo’s initial bewilderment at his injury. “He suspected he might have touched something. Then he saw the blood.” She further revealed that Diallo initially thought he might have been injured in an explosion. “He was genuinely shocked to find out he was bleeding,” she said, requesting her name be kept confidential.
The incident has elicited a strong response from city authorities. Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD representatives have pledged to ensure the culprits face justice and to address concerns over public safety.
The NYPD has released surveillance images of two suspects and called for them to turn themselves in, designating them as most wanted.
This tragic occurrence underscores the ongoing issues plaguing the New York City subway system, a crucial transportation network for millions of city residents. Despite increased police presence and enhanced security measures aimed at improving safety, incidents of violence continue to rattle the faith of commuters in the system.
