NEW DELHI: Multiple people were shot at on Tuesday at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York, AP reported. Several undetonated devices were also found at the location, according to fire officials.
"Fire personnel responding to reports of smoke at the 36th Street station in the Sunset Park neighborhood found multiple people shot and undetonated devices, " AP quoted a New York City Fire Department spokesperson as saying.
The New York authorities are yet to confirm if this was a terror attack. The fire department said 13 people were injured, several by gunfire. The police department said there were "no active explosive devices at this time".
A photo from the scene showed people tending to passengers covered in blood lying on the floor of the station. Eyewitnesses said some of the wounded jumped on another train to flee to the next station.
US media reports said the suspect likely used a smoke bomb to distract the commuters before shooting them. Multiple smoke devices were found on the scene, AP quoted mayoral spokesperson Fabien Levy as saying.
As per preliminary information, police said the suspect was dressed in construction attire. Three senior law enforcement officials said the man was wearing a gas mask and an orange construction vest, NBC reported.
The NYPD asked citizens to avoid the area and closed all schools near the site.
New York governor Kathy Hochul said she had been briefed on the "developing" situation. "First responders are on the scene and we will work with @MTA & @NYPDnews to provide updates as the investigation continues, " she tweeted.
The incident comes a day after US President Joe Biden announced new gun control measures as shootings in New York City saw a rise this year.