REVEALED: NYC subway shooting suspect Frank James, 62, posted unhinged race-obsessed YouTube clips warning of his intentions and hatred for Mayor Eric Adams - as sister says he is a loner

  • Frank James, 62, has been named as the suspect in Tuesday's shooting in Brooklyn, New York 
  • James remains at-large despite a multi-state hunt for him that also involves the FBI 
  • He was known to the bureau and was on a terrorist watchlist after an incident in New Mexico in 2019 
  • For weeks before yesterday's shooting, he posted ominous videos on YouTube about race and shootings
  • On March 20, he announced he was leaving Wisconsin and 'will never be back again alive' 
  • In a video two days before the shooting, he ranted about how black people were forced into crime
  • Speaking about gangs, he said: 'This is what white b*****s and white m*********ers' expect you to be… when you blow one of their f*****g brains out – this is what you asked for' 
  • James pulled out a gas mask on the northbound N train in Brooklyn yesterday then released a smoke bomb
  • He then opened fire with a handgun, shooting ten people, before somehow managing to flee
  • The surveillance cameras inside the station were not working which has hampered efforts to find him 
  • The shooting has epitomized the danger of New York City's subways, where crime is up by 60 percent  

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The race-obsessed suspect in Tuesday's horror shooting on the New York City subway posted a terrifying YouTube warning that he was driving from his home in Wisconsin and would 'never be back again alive' three weeks before unleashing terror during rush hour. 

Frank James, 62, remains on the run on Wednesday morning 24 hours after allegedly opening fire on a packed northbound N train as it approached 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. 

On Wednesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams officially named James as a suspect - upgrading him from 'person of interest'.  

Police believe he is the man responsible because his credit card was used to rent the U-Haul that police found a key to in a backpack dumped at the scene that also contained a handgun, three extended magazines, fireworks and firecrackers. 

James lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, until recently but packed up on March 20 and left the state. He drove south, first through Illinois, then to Philadelphia where he picked up the U-Haul van that he brought to New York City. 

It has now emerged that he was known to the FBI and was questioned in 2019 in New Mexico though it is not yet  clear why. He was cleared but was entered into the state's 'Guardian Lead' system. The Guardian Program is the bureau's terrorist threat and suspicious incident tracking system.  

Despite being on that list, James was unimpeded as he relentlessly uploaded hate-speech-filled clips on YouTube about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact', for weeks before Tuesday's attack. 

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police. 

The alleged gunman's sister, Catherine James Robinson, told The New York Times on Wednesday that he spent much of his life alone. In a separate interview with The Daily Beast, she said they hadn't spoken for three years. 

In the March 20th video, titled 'STOP ONE COMPLETE', he gave an ominous warning about his plans. Speaking from the driver's seat of a rented van, he said: 'As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is: Good riddance. I will never be back again alive to that m*********r.' 

In this chilling March 20 video, Frank James - the suspect in Tuesday's subway shooting - said he would never return to Wisconsin, his home state, alive. He drove to Philadelphia where he is believed to have rented the U-Haul found yesterday in Brooklyn, five miles from the subway where the attack unfolded. James remains on the run
In this chilling March 20 video, Frank James - the suspect in Tuesday's subway shooting - said he would never return to Wisconsin, his home state, alive. He drove to Philadelphia where he is believed to have rented the U-Haul found yesterday in Brooklyn, five miles from the subway where the attack unfolded. James remains on the run

In this chilling March 20 video, Frank James - the suspect in Tuesday's subway shooting - said he would never return to Wisconsin, his home state, alive. He drove to Philadelphia where he is believed to have rented the U-Haul found yesterday in Brooklyn, five miles from the subway where the attack unfolded. James remains on the run

The NYPD released this update on Wednesday officially naming James as a suspect. These photos include two of him leaving the subway though it is not clear when they were taken

The NYPD released this update on Wednesday officially naming James as a suspect. These photos include two of him leaving the subway though it is not clear when they were taken 

At the start of the video, he told of his plans to drive to Philadelphia. 

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I packed my bags. I got up, even though it's rainy, go to my storage unit, loaded that up and then finished my apartment off this morning.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I should be there... I'm going to take my time though. 

'This is the first leg of my trip, it's been a long time since I've had to drive this far. We're going to find out though. 

'All my Instacart driving paid off or what. We are definitely going to find the f*** out.' 

Two days before the shooting, he posted another video where he said black people were forced into violence by racism. 

'This is what white b*****s and white m*********ers' expect you to be… when you blow one of their f*****g brains out – this is what you asked for. This is how you wanted me to be, obviously,' he said. 

He was drinking white rum and had finished the bottle. 

At the end of his final video, he said: 'Why should a n****r be on this planet besides to pick tobacco or sugar plant. There is no natural reason for there to be such a thing as an American negro, African American, there is no reason for it. Except for you to be a slave. That is your rightful place, it always will be. Until you build a black state of Israel, which you don't want. You want to send your a** in the ghetto and play n****r.

'This is what this s**t in Ukraine is a build up to. It's to get rid of your a**. Nuclear devices are going to be dropped. The president of Ukraine is calling for nuclear war. And so, I talk about my condition but, what the f*** can you do? 

The suspected shooter posted this image of a man holding a gun with blood stained on his shirt on April 3, nine days before the attack

The suspected shooter posted this image of a man holding a gun with blood stained on his shirt on April 3, nine days before the attack 

James posted on Facebook about shootings and wanting to  kill people. This post is from August 2020

James posted on Facebook about shootings and wanting to  kill people. This post is from August 2020 

In August 2020, James posted this photograph of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse with the title 'And a child shall lead them'. Rittenhouse was acquitted of charges after a highly publicized trial. He had attended a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to defend the town from BLM protesters

In August 2020, James posted this photograph of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse with the title 'And a child shall lead them'. Rittenhouse was acquitted of charges after a highly publicized trial. He had attended a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to defend the town from BLM protesters 

James in one of his many Facebook posts. He remains at large

James in one of his many Facebook posts. He remains at large 

More posts from James' Facebook page where he wore a skull-face covering and celebrated his 62nd birthday
More posts from James' Facebook page where he wore a skull-face covering and celebrated his 62nd birthday

More posts from James' Facebook page where he wore a skull-face covering and celebrated his 62nd birthday 

James' final video, posted on Monday, shows him drinking white over proof rum and talking about race
James' final video, posted on Monday, shows him drinking white over proof rum and talking about race

James' final video, posted on Monday, shows him drinking white over proof rum and talking about race. He  ranted about how black people in America were destined to be slaves and could not escape 'the ghetto' while showing clips from documentaries about gangs 

This is how the horror shooting unfolded on Tuesday morning on the northbound N train at 8.24am as it approached 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

'That's life in the ghetto. I've said everything in this video that I wanted to say. I'm going to finish this 100 proof. I'm going to finish this s**t. This has got me knocked the f*** out. I can barely talk. Leave the rest of that s**t for tomorrow. I'm going to take my a** to bed. I'll talk to you guys later, take it easy. Be good.' 

In another video, he ranted: 'This nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death. 

A stock image of a .38 caliber handgun, the type used in the shooting that was found in a backpack along with a key to the U-Haul James had rented

A stock image of a .38 caliber handgun, the type used in the shooting that was found in a backpack along with a key to the U-Haul James had rented

'There's nothing going to stop that,' James said in a ranting video on YouTube under the name 'Prophet of Truth88'. 

The rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos posted by James, who is black, are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, sometimes against other black people. 

He is also featured sharing conspiracy theories - such as claiming that the Twin Towers could never have been brought down on 9/11 by planes.

One video, posted April 11, criticizes crime against black people and says drastic action is needed.

 'You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,' James says. 

'It's not going to get better until we make it better,' he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were 'stomped, kicked and tortured' out of their 'comfort zone.'

'I am now in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Comfort Inn Suites for the night. 

'My next leg will be... I am taking my time. I am definitely going to get to Philly by Tuesday.

This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting on Tuesday after the suspect fled

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online
The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online 

TUESDAY 8.14AM: New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train

New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train. They were shot on the train by a gunman who unleashed a smoke bomb and then opened fire before fleeing at around 8.30am 

Horror pictures from the scene showed blood strewn across the carriage during the latest attack to rock the city

Hourari Benkada, 27, says he was sitting right next to the gunman before he let off a smoke bomb and opened fire on passengers aboard an N train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning

Hourari Benkada, 27, says he was sitting right next to the gunman before he let off a smoke bomb and opened fire on passengers aboard an N train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning

SHOOTING SUSPECT MOCKED MAYOR ERIC ADAMS AND HIS CRACKDOWN ON SUBWAY CRIME

James also referenced mental health facilities in the Bronx.

He mocked Adams's plan to bring in mental health workers to deal with the subway homeless problem.

'Here's the help. Here's the cavalry, Eric Adams,' he said, referencing the New Jersey social workers pictured behind him.

'A bunch of f****** predators, a bunch of deviants, a bunch of psychopaths and sociopaths.

'They're gonna help you, Eric.'

 

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'My drop-off point for the van is Newark, even though my destination is Philadelphia.' 

I am heading back into the danger zone, so to speak, it was triggering a lot of bad thoughts. I do have a severe case of PTSD after the s**t I've been through and again just thinking about how f****d up people are. 

'There is no way no how an N word is perceived to be anyone's judge. I'm talking to the people that did damage and harm to me, tried to kill me and get me locked up. They're all black. We're all in the same boat. Especially now.

'They keep mentioning the potential of World War Three. We're already in World War Three,' he said. 

In other clips he fumed at Mayor Eric Adams about the escalating crime in the subway. 

Adams is quarantining with COVID-19. 

His team says they will increase his security in light of James' threats. 

A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek the suspect was previously known to the FBI, having been entered into the Guardian Lead system in New Mexico. 

The system is the FBI's way of coordinating information from other law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity reports. He was cleared after multiple interviews in 2019. 

The federal law enforcement source said that he is believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.  

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to James's arrest. 

The MTA and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 both offered $12,500 each in reward money and the New York City Police Foundation offered $25,000 in reward money to bring the total reward offering to $50,000. 

Hourari Benkada (wearing red hoodie) , 27, sat next to the man with a duffe bag and MTA vest before Tuesday's subway attack

Hourari Benkada (wearing red hoodie) , 27, sat next to the man with a duffe bag and MTA vest before Tuesday's subway attack

The U-Haul van that police say subway shooter Frank James rented prior to unleashing the terrifying subway mass shooting during morning rush hour

The U-Haul van that police say subway shooter Frank James rented prior to unleashing the terrifying subway mass shooting during morning rush hour

NYPD officers patrol platforms at the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York

NYPD officers patrol platforms at the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York

Pedestrians exit the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York. Police continued to hunt Wednesday for the gunman who opened fire on a subway train in Brooklyn, an attack that left multiple people shot and once again interrupted New York City's long journey to post-pandemic normalcy

Pedestrians exit the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York. Police continued to hunt Wednesday for the gunman who opened fire on a subway train in Brooklyn, an attack that left multiple people shot and once again interrupted New York City's long journey to post-pandemic normalcy

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