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Subway shooting suspect Andrew Abdullah in custody, wanted for killing Daniel Enriquez

NYPD: Suspect in fatal subway shooting is gang member with long criminal history 03:04

NEW YORK -- The suspect who allegedly shot and killed a man Sunday on the subway is now in custody. 

Daniel Enriquez, 46, was shot onboard a Q train approaching the Canal Street station around 11:45 a.m. He was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

Andrew Abdullah was walked into the Fifth Precinct on Tuesday afternoon. 

According to police, the subway was crossing the Manhattan Bridge when Abdullah began pacing, then suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Enriquez point blank. The gunman ran once the train pulled into the station.

Police said the shooting appeared to be random and the men had no prior contact.

According to police sources, after the train arrived at the station, the suspect handed his gun to a homeless man, who then sold it to someone else. Investigators have recovered the weapon and are testing it for DNA evidence.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.  

See live updates below for the latest. 

 

NYPD: Suspect a gang member with lengthy criminal history

The NYPD says the suspect in the Lower Manhattan subway shooting is a gang member with a long criminal history.

Andrew Abdullah, 25, didn't say anything as he was walked into the 5th Precinct on Tuesday afternoon.

Police say he also didn't say much before he allegedly shot 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez once in the chest, killing him, while on board a northbound Q train on Sunday.

"Eyewitnesses stated that a male was pacing back and forth in the train car muttering to himself. The only distinguishable words heard were 'no phones,'" NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

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Police said the suspect then fled the Canal Street station, handing off the stolen gun to a homeless man he did not know.

"Eleven minutes later, transit officers responding to the scene stopped the suspect. He had altered his appearance," Essig said.

Essig said the suspect no longer matched the clothing description put out by law enforcement and was free to go.

On Tuesday, he was arrested at his lawyer's office.

In a statement, the Legal Aid Society said, in part, it was negotiating his surrender when, "He was needlessly ambushed out front of our Manhattan trial office by law enforcement, denied of his opportunity to first consult with counsel."

Mayor Eric Adams responded by saying, "It's about getting the bad guy off the street. That's what we did."

Abdullah's family members contacted their bishop, Lamor Whitehead, asking him to help Abdullah turn himself in.

"They said that he suffered from mental illness, mental health challenges. As far as I understand, from the family, he doesn't recollect any of it at all," Whitehead said.

Police say Abdullah is a gang member with an extensive criminal history, including eight prior arrests.

"His criminal history stretches back to 2016. Charges of felony assault, robbery, attempted murder, and a still open gun charge from two years ago," NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.

Police said they don't know why Enriquez was targeted. He was headed to brunch just before noon when it happened.

The Park Slope resident worked in the research department at Goldman Sachs and was a loving uncle.

"Daniel was shot in his heart. We feel it in our hearts. We lost a fellow New Yorker, one of the good guys," Adams said.

His partner of 18 years said the arrest is good for the public, but it won't bring back Enriquez.

Passengers United, a mass transit advocacy group, said this could've happened to anyone.

"Right now, underground, it's a mess. You have people disrupting trains, disrupting service," president Charlton D'Souza said. "II went up to the Bronx. I was riding the subway until 10:30. Not one police officer in sight. Same thing today."

Abdullah is facing charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon. 

By Alice Gainer
 

Abdullah taken into custody at his lawyer's office

Andrew Abdullah, the person wanted in connection to the subway shooting on Sunday that took the life of a 48-year-old man, is now in custody.

Abdullah's family bishop told CBS2's Leah Mishkin on Tuesday the 25-year-old planned to turn himself in, but added that's not how the scene unfolded.

Bishop Lamor Whitehead said Abdullah's family contacted him Tuesday morning.

"They were crying about what happened because they saw their family member plastered all over the TV. They wanted help," Whitehead said.

Whitehead said the plan was for him to go to the precinct with Abdullah, and he said he notified the police and Mayor Eric Adams. He said everyone agreed, but it didn't happen that way.

"As we were waiting for the attorney to come downstairs walking in, there was a charade of officers with guns drawn. And I asked them, I said he was going to turn himself in why would you guys do it this way?" Whitehead said.

The NYPD said Abdullah was well known to the criminal justice system.

"His criminal history stretches back to 2016. It includes charges of felony assault, robbery, attempted murder, and a still open gun charge from two years ago. Today a killer is off our street," an NYPD official said.

Whitehead said Abdullah's family maintains his innocence in this case.

"They said that he suffered from mental illness, mental health challenges. As far as I understand, from the family, he doesn't recollect any of it at all," Whitehead said.

On Sunday, 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez was riding a northbound Q train on his way to Sunday brunch when he was shot at close range without provocation, according to police.

The NYPD said the suspect fled the scene at the Canal Street station. Two days later, Abdullah's photo and name were released, wanted in connection to the shooting.

Many have since avoided the train in fear.

"It's really getting bad. It really is, like when you have to get scared to get on the train. It used to be a ride on the train was pleasurable," Queens resident Thomas Fiore said.

The killing of Enriquez was every New Yorker's worst nightmare.

Mishkin spoke with Enriquez's partner of 18 years on the phone. He said he was glad for the public support, but this arrest doesn't change anything for him. He added he would love to go back in time.  

By CBS New York Team
 

Adams: "We got him"

Mayor Eric Adams, police officials announce arrest of subway shooting suspect Andrew Abdullah 10:34

"We got a killer off our streets," Mayor Eric Adams said in a news conference announcing Andrew Abdullah's arrest Tuesday. 

Adams said Abdullah is the "poster child" for revolving door justice based on his criminal history. 

"Any reasonable thinking New Yorker is going to ask themselves 'Why is this person still on our streets?' That in itself is a tragedy," 

By CBS New York Team
 

UPDATE: Subway shooting suspect Andrew Abdullah now in custody

Subway shooting suspect Andrew Abdullah in custody 00:27

Suspect Andrew Abdullah is now in custody at the Fifth Precinct. 

Police are expected to release more details at a news conference later this afternoon. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Update: Suspect not yet in custody, police are negotiating his surrender

Suspect in subway shooting fails to show up at negotiated surrender 00:32

Police now say subway shooting suspect Andrew Abdullah is not yet in custody. 

A minister had been negotiating Abdullah's surrender at the Fifth Precinct, but police now say Abdullah failed to appear. 

Police initially told CBS2 Abdullah had been taken into custody. 

Check back soon for more information on this developing story. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Police release photo of subway shooting suspect Andrew Abdullah

New photo of subway shooting suspect 00:26

The NYPD has released the name and photo of the person they're looking for in the subway shooting. 

According to the NYPD, Andrew Abdullah is wanted for the shooting. 

Abdullah has an extensive criminal background. In March, he was charged with assault, endangering the welface of a child and more after a domestic violence incident, according to authorities. In 2020, he was accused of criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and more. And in 2017, he was charged with conspiracy as part of an indictment of two gangs in Harlem. 

Abdullah is believed to live most recently in Flatbush, Brooklyn. 

Sources tell CBS2 police have video of him getting in the train in Brooklyn and exiting the train after the shooting, as well as video of him handing off the gun to a homeless man where he is seen without a mask.

Police ask anyone with information on Abdullah's whereabouts contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.  

By CBS New York Team
 

Straphangers helping spread the word as manhunt continues for person of interest

Safety remains a concern for many in New York City, knowing the person who killed an innocent Brooklyn man on the subway this weekend is still on the run. 

Reward posters still cover Chinatown days after police say an unprovoked shooting left 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez dead. 

Police zeroing in on subway shooting suspect 02:29

Some commuters are snapping photos of the flyers in hopes of spreading the word that the alleged gunman is still at large. 

"I'm going to let everyone know what's going on on social media, people need to be well aware of it," one person said. 

Detectives say late Sunday morning a man began pacing while the Q subway train was passing over the Manhattan Bridge into the city. He allegedly then suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Enriquez point blank. 

Enriquez's sister says this was a preventable death

"He shouldn't be dead," said Griselda Vile. 

Police obtained surveillance photos of the person of interest, but his unknown whereabouts has many feeling uneasy. 

"It's definitely very scary," one person said. 

"I don't feel safe taking the train, to be honest," Mabel Opare said. 

"A lot of people are worried and concerned," said Gustavo Guerra. 

Mayor Eric Adams says he is reassessing the steps he's already taken to put more cops on the subways to see if anything else can be done. After all, he started his career as a transit cop. 

"That's the uniqueness of me being here, because no other mayor understood the real deployment of police personnel like I do," Adams said. 

Local lawmakers are now putting pressure on the MTA. Monday, the New York State Assembly approved a bill that mandates cameras in the transit system at all subway stations, and expands its power to add more surveillance technology below ground.

An MTA official says the system already complies with these terms, and has 10,200 cameras operating. 

"We appreciate the Assembly's support for the MTA's ongoing camera security program," the official said, adding the MTA has "scheduled to add thousands more later this year alone." 

The bill still has to pass the Senate before it becomes law. 

Police are still testing the suspected shooter's gun for DNA. Sources tell us the suspect handed it to a homeless man after the incident, who then sold it to someone else. 

By John Dias
 

Police searching for person of interest

Search for subway shooting suspect enters 3rd day 02:22

Subway riders are still on edge, as the search continues for a person of interest in Sunday's deadly subway shooting.

CBS2 has now heard from the victim's sister, as detectives work to piece together clues in the case. 

As John Dias reported, police are still testing the suspected shooter's gun for DNA, hoping it will give them a better lead. 

Sources say the suspect handed it to a homeless man after the incident, who then sold it to someone else. 

By John Dias
 

"He shouldn't be dead": Subway murder victim's sister speaks out

Sister of man murdered on Q train says subway wasn't his first choice 02:55

The sister of the man murdered on a subway train over the weekend was overcome by grief and fear on Monday. 

As CBS2's Ali Bauman reported, Griselda Vile said her brother wasn't even supposed to be on the train.

Vile said the subway was not his first choice, but a ride share was just too expensive.

"He shouldn't be dead," Vile said.

Click here to read the full story. 

By Ali Bauman
 

Adams vows to reevaluate police deployment on subway

Mayor Adams vows to reevaluate deployment of police on subways 02:20

Mayor Eric Adams says he'll reevaluate the deployment of police officers on the subway.

Adams said violence on the subway has become a major setback in convincing people to come back to their New York City offices, CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported Monday. 

In a city where optics are often everything, Adams took the subway to City Hall after an Upper Manhattan news conference. It was the day after a Goldman Sachs employee was murdered in cold blood on the Q train.

"Is this symbolic to show people that it's safe?" Kramer asked the mayor.

"No it's substantive that this is the mayor that is on the subway system, because I'm not gonna tell New Yorkers to do something that I'm not going to do because real leaders lead from the front," Adams said.

Click here to read the full story. 

By Marcia Kramer
 

Victim's sister speaks out as police search for person of interest; Gun recovered

CBS2 spoke with 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez's sister. 

It's heartbreaking to hear the story of a New York randomly killed just because he took the subway to go to brunch, CBS2's Leah Mishkin reported. 

"He loved his family. He loved his friends. He was loyal," said Enriquez's sister Griselda Vile. 

New images show suspect in deadly subway train shooting 03:23

Enriquez, 48, was born in Williamsburg. His sister told CBS2 their parents moved to America from Mexico for a better life. 

"So their children could have a better future. My brother, he's the oldest of five," Vile said.

The family moved to Washington state, where Enriquez went to college. He made his way back to New York in 1996 for graduate school at NYU. 

"He immediately got a job at Morgan Stanley," Vile said. 

For the last nine years, he had been working a researcher at Goldman Sachs. 

"During COVID he was able to stay home and spend time with his partner but he also learned how to play guitar, piano, Brazilian Portuguese. He loved gardening," Vile said. 

The chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs said Enriquez "epitomized our culture of collaboration and excellence. We are devastated by this senseless tragedy." 

"He's a regular New Yorker. It could have been any of us," Vile said. 

The Park Slope resident's partner of 16 years, who did not want to go on camera, says Enriquez was on his way to get brunch with his brother Sunday. He told us the 48-year-old never rode on the train on the weekend, but rideshare prices were surging, and he figured he'd take a car home. 

Police say he was sitting on a northbound Q train with other passengers when the tragedy unfolded. 

"According to witnesses, the suspect was walking back and forth in the same train car, and without provocation, pulled out a gun and fired it at the victim at close range as the train was crossing the Manhattan Bridge," said NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey. 

The NYPD says once the subway pulled into the Canal Street station, the suspect fled the scene. 

According to police sources, the person of interest has a violent criminal history. We're told the suspect handed the gun to a homeless man but it was recovered, and is currently being tested for DNA evidence. 

"I want this man to turn himself in and to get the help that he needs. I need to know who did this and he needs to pay," Vile said. 

His sister told us crime has gotten out of control in the city and she wants to see the mayor step up to support police and the MTA. 

No arrests have been made yet in this case, but sources tell us police have a person of interest in the case. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Sources: Person of interest identified in the shooting, gun recovered

Sources tell CBS2 a person of interest has been identified in the case - a Brooklyn resident with an extensive, violent criminal history. 

The person of interest is not in custody at this time, but is being sought. 

Police believe the gunman gave the gun to a homeless person after the shooting, sources said. The gun has been recovered, and is being tested for DNA. 

Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.  

By CBS New York Team
 

Authorities narrowing in with new photos

Police say they are one step closer to tracking down the man wanted for killing an innocent Brooklyn man on the subway. 

Detectives have now released images of the suspect, as a member of the victim's family is speaking out. 

The sister of Daniel Enriquez told CBS2's John Dias he had just started to venture out of his home more often after isolating for so long during the pandemic. She said he was a proud New Yorker, and this is where he made his dreams come true, but also where they ended. 

"My parents are both from Mexico, and they came to America for a better life so their children could have a better future," she said. 

1pc-dias0523-wcbs46qa-hi-res-still.jpg
Police are searching for the gunman they say randomly shot and killed  Daniel Enriquez on the subway into Manhattan.  Griselda Vile

But at 48, his life came to a tragic end. His sister told Dias over the phone the Park Slope, Brooklyn man was like a surrogate father to her kids. 

"He's not a violent person. He's caring," she said. 

Sunday morning, police responded to the Canal Street subway station around 11:45 a.m. to find Enriquez shot in the chest. He later died at Bellevue Hospital. 

"A man with a gun walked in with the intent to kill," said his sister. "Out of all the people, he chose my brother to shoot at close range."

Authorities said the shooting happened on a Q train as it was crossing over the Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn, and the alleged gunman was pacing around before the shooting. They're calling it an unprovoked attack. 

"I want this man to turn himself in and to get the help that he needs," Enriquez's sister said. "I need to know who did this, and he needs to pay for it. Something has to happen so this doesn't happen to anybody else."

The NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams said they're pushing more officers into the subway system, and new surveillance images show the suspect wearing a face mask with the hood of his sweatshirt up. 

MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber showed those photos during a committee meeting on Monday, confident police will catch him. 

"Our hearts go out to all New Yorkers who are feeling terrified at this moment," he said. "Before yesterday, we were starting to see stats indicating that even subway crime was headed in the right direction. This is all before yesterday's senseless shooting, which is an incredible setback."

Tuesday marks six weeks since 10 people were shot on a train in Brooklyn, and the recent crimes have some commuters feeling uneasy. 

"Usually when I'm riding the subway, I'm always keeping my head on a swivel. Whenever I get on the train, always got to look at each and every person," commuter Collin Dinatale told Dias. 

"I'm starting to get where I'm not feeling safe to take it anymore," Upper East Side resident Olivia Hammond said.

Police ask anyone who recognizes the person in the photos to give them a call. They are now offering a $3,500 reward in the case. 

Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.  

By John Dias
 

Suspect photo released

The NYPD released a photo of the man they're searching for Monday. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

By CBS New York Team
 

Search stretches into Monday morning

Search for suspect in subway shooting 02:46

The search continues this morning for the man wanted for killing a subway passenger Sunday afternoon. 

Police say it appears to be a random attack, which has some in the city fearful of mass transit once again. 

CBS2's John Dias has the latest on the investigation from Canal Street. 

By John Dias
 

NYPD: "Help us find this guy"

The search continues for a suspect who opened fire on a subway train, killing a man.

Police said the suspect fled the Canal Street subway station in Chinatown, CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis reported.

It was a horrifying Sunday morning for those on board a Manhattan-bound Q train. Those sitting in the last car experienced the unexpected.

One man on board told CBS2 he had no idea what was going on.

"I don't think that in that moment you really have time to process that," said Matthew Chavan of Brooklyn.

Chavan was headed to Manhattan on the Q train when it pulled into the Canal Street station. He said he heard shouting, and saw people running to the exit.

"I decided people aren't running for no reason. Let's follow them and because something's going on down the other way," Chavan said.

He later found out a man was shot in a different train car.

"According to witnesses, the suspect was walking back and forth in the same train car and without provocation pulled out a gun and fired it at the victim at close range as the train was crossing the Manhattan Bridge," NYPD   Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

Police responded to the Canal Street station at around 11:45 a.m. to find 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez shot in the chest. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, but didn't make it.

Investigators said the suspect was already gone and they're calling on witnesses for help.

"Help us find this guy. There's other people riding the train. We have some of them, others who saw something. Maybe someone who took a photo or some video on their cellphone, share it with us," Corey said.

The NYPD said it's pushing more officers into the subway system. That was echoed by Mayor Eric Adams in an audio clip provided by his press secretary.

"We're going to increase the uniform presence, and it's also we're going to have those officers that one may not know they are police officers to ensure that we can find those who are carrying out crimes such as this," Adams said.

Enriquez worked for Goldman Sachs.

"Daniel Enriquez was a dedicated and beloved member of the Goldman Sachs family for nine years. He worked diligently to support our Macro Research team in New York and epitomized our culture of collaboration and excellence. We are devastated by this senseless tragedy and our deepest sympathies are with Dan's family at this difficult time," Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon said.

News of another subway shooting, six weeks after 10 people were shot on board a train in Brooklyn, had commuters feeling uneasy.

"I feel unsafe. I kind of want to get in an Uber right now. That's really messed up," said River Anton of Long Island City.

"The violence just seems to be random. It's very nerve wracking. It doesn't seem like anyone is doing anything to stop it," said Symone Wilson of Midtown.

"It seems like the police presence is focused on keeping people from hopping the rails rather than keeping people safe," added Madison Dickson of Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Charlton D'Souza is president of advocacy group Passengers United.

"I've been pleading with the MTA and elected officials, please, put cameras in the subway cars," D'Souza said. "We need to make New Yorkers feel confident that they can ride the trains, they can get safely from point A to point B."

By Jenna DeAngelis
 

Northbound N, Q trains rerouted

By CBS New York Team
 

Subway service disrupted

By CBS New York Team
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