Yesterday was a difficult day for not only New York, but for the communities of southern Brooklyn it hit particularly close to home. Many of us rely on the N, D and R trains to get to school, work, and family commitments. My family and staff commute on those trains into our office every weekday, and yesterday morning, I had been at the 36th St stop just 10 minutes prior.

This afternoon, NYPD arrested the man wanted for this crime, Frank James.

Thankfully, all the victims of yesterday’s shooting are in stable condition. Many of them live in our district: in Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and Gravesend. I’ve spoken with their family members, offered our community’s support for their recovery, and promised to do whatever we can to help heal from the trauma they — and we — suffered yesterday.

I also want to take a moment to thank our heroic first responders and emergency staff. Thank you FDNY, NYPD, MTA, NYC Emergency Management, TWU Local 100, the staff caring for our community members at Maimonides Hospital, NYU Langone-Brooklyn Hospital, Kings County Hospital, and Methodist Hospital, and so many more. 

Yesterday we saw how destructive one person can be, but we also saw how New Yorkers come together in moments to keep each other safe.

Sincerely,