NYC’s Brooklyn subway shooting could have been worse. Here’s how

The shooting incident at Brooklyn subway Tuesday has shocked the entire New York City. While authorities are trying to determine if it was a terror attack or carried out by a lone wolf, there are reports that the incident could have been much worse.

Law-enforcement sources told The New York Post the gun used by the attacker was jammed in the midst of the bloodshed. This prevented him from causing more carnage. 

Sources also told CBS2 that the 9mm pistol found on the subway was jammed. The weapon is believed to have been dropped or discarded by the gunman. Investigators recovered two extended magazines at the scene of the shooting.

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At least 29 people were wounded in the incident, including 10 people who were shot. Five of them are said to be in critical but stable condition.

“It was lucky that it jammed because we could be talking about a lot more people in hospitals or worse,” a law-enforcement source said. “Dozens more people would have been wounded or more seriously injured.”

The suspect, who is still at large, was using a rolling milk crate-type carrier to cart around his stuff, sources added. 

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Other than weapons, a hatchet, a can of pepper spray, two gas canisters, one bag of fireworks, smoke grenades and gasoline were recovered at the scene. However, it remains unclear if it all belonged to the suspect. It is also not known if he acted alone or was he linked to any terror group.

An investigation is completely underway.

Police said that the suspect was wearing a green utility vest strapped on a gas mask and detonated a smoke bomb inside the moving car. The suspect is said to be 5’5” in height.

Josh Aryeh was on board the train when he heard gunshots, according to CBS News.

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“I just hid. I moved myself out the way. I tried to make space for this elderly lady, who even handed me her little pepper spray from her purse just in case something happened,” Aryeh said. “Like, she gave it to me out of her purse and said, ‘Use it, just in case.’ That’s how desperate people were.”

Videos shared online showed chaos from inside the train as  commuters tried to desperately escape.

“There was a lot of blood trailing on the floor, and then thank goodness the train moved within a minute or I don’t know what might have happened if we were stuck there for long,” Aryeh said.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell is asking for the public’s help finding the suspect. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement regarding the attack.

“In the face of great challenge, New Yorkers always rise to help each other. Today was no different; New Yorkers responded with courage and compassion. This attack that injured 16 innocent New Yorkers and impacted countless more will simply not be tolerated. My office is monitoring the situation and we remain in contact with the NYPD and our other partners in law enforcement. Our entire city is grateful to the transit workers, first responders, and everyday New Yorkers who acted quickly to help those in need… I urge anyone with information to please contact the NYPD at 1-800-577-TIPS.”