New York Shooter Claimed He Understood Reasons for Vegas Mass Murders

Posted on: April 14, 2022, 10:24h.

Last updated on: April 14, 2022, 02:53h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Frank R. James once admitted he had the same “thoughts and feelings” which led to the 2017 deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas. He is now being held for this week’s massive attack on a New York City subway.

Accused New York subway shooter Frank James, pictured above. He was taken out of a police station after his apprehension. (Image: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, James, 62, allegedly tossed out a smoke grenade and then fired 33 rounds on a Manhattan-bound train in the Sunset Park neighborhood in Brooklyn. By the time it was over, 29 passengers were injured. None died, but many were wounded.

Before the incident, however, James recorded and posted a now-deleted Facebook video. In the video, James said the Las Vegas Strip shooting spree was a “cautionary tale,” according to reports from Rolling Stone. He predicted such incidents would happen in the future, as would a race war.

I can understand why a motherf***er would go out there and just start shooting people,” James said in the video. “I’ve had those thoughts and feelings. Thank God I never acted on them.”

James is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in New York City today. He is charged with a terrorism-related count. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

In the Las Vegas incident, Stephen Paddock, perched at a Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino window, fatally wounded 60 people attending a music festival below. Several hundred others were injured. Eventually, Paddock took his own life.

Weapons, Ammo, Calls for Violence

After the subway attack, James fled the area. On Wednesday afternoon, New York Police Department (NYPD) officers apprehended him in the East Village neighborhood in Manhattan.

Police found a hatchet, three ammo magazines, fireworks, and gasoline tied to James. He also rented a U-Haul truck that was later seized by the NYPD.

Police then reviewed James’ social media and found the video. James had apparently posted numerous videos with anti-white and anti-Semitic sentiments. In one, James states he believes the white and black races should be separated.

He often called for violent action. In one rant quoted by the New York Post, James revealed he “wanted to watch people die right in front of my f***ing face immediately.”

James Lashed Out at NYC Mayor

James also lashed out at the policies of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. James singled out Adams’ effort to increase the police presence in the New York City subways.

“He can’t stop no f***ing crime in no subways,” James said in the video. “He may slow it down, but he ain’t stopping sh**… With this program in place, with all these police — I’d still get off. I know I could get off because they can’t be everywhere.”