A burst of gunfire disrupted the evening commute in the Bronx, New York City, transforming a routine subway ride into a scene of chaos and despair.
On February 12, 2024, around 4:30 p.m., a confrontation between two groups of teenagers turned into a deadly shooting at the Mount Eden subway station.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has not yet made arrests regarding the incident, which unfolded on a northbound No. 4 train and spilled over onto the platform and streets. The NYPD is actively seeking three shooters, believed to have fired 19 shots from 9mm pistols in what has been identified as a gang-related dispute.
Eyewitnesses recounted a terrifying ordeal, with bullets sparking against subway walls and passengers frantically seeking cover.
The violence resulted in the death of 35-year-old Obed Beltran-Sanchez and injuries to five others, whose ages range from 14 to 71. Beltran-Sanchez, described by authorities as an innocent bystander believed to be homeless, suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The injured survivors, including a 14-year-old boy with possible ties to the altercation, were rushed to local hospitals and are said to be in stable condition. All are expected to survive the ordeal.
One of the injured, another bystander, initially mistook his gunshot wound for an electric shock. Alpha Diallo, 28, was inadvertently hit in the right arm by a bullet amidst the violence, according to police statements. Diallo, who had just finished a phone call with his sister, found himself in the middle of the confrontation. “He’s experiencing significant pain,” his sister disclosed outside St. Barnabas Hospital. She mentioned that Diallo is receiving intensive care following surgery.
“He believed it was an electric shock at first,” she explained, recounting Diallo’s initial confusion over his injury. “He thought perhaps he had come into contact with something. Then he noticed the bleeding.” The shock of seeing blood was terrifying for him, she added. Diallo was under the impression that an explosion might have occurred, leading to his injury. “He was truly startled to see he was bleeding,” she noted, preferring to remain anonymous.
The shooting has prompted a strong response from city officials. Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials have vowed to bring those responsible to justice and address the public’s safety concerns.
Surveillance photos of two suspects have been released, and the NYPD has urged them to surrender, labeling them as most wanted.
This tragic event has once again highlighted the challenges facing the New York City subway system, a vital artery for millions of New Yorkers. Despite efforts to improve safety, with increased police presence and security measures, incidents of violence continue to shake the confidence of commuters.
