Frank R. James, who is accused of unleashing a barrage of gunfire on a subway train in New York City, will be held without bail until trial on federal terror charges.
The 62-year-old appeared in court on April 14 for allegedly violating a law barring “terrorist attacks or other violence” against mass transit systems.
Frank James was apprehended following a huge manhunt for the lone suspect behind the attack, which injured 23 people.
The suspect did not enter a plea. His lawyer requested a psychiatric report.
If convicted he faces life behind bars.
Frank James “committed a heinous and premeditated attack on ordinary New Yorkers during their morning subway commute”, said US Attorney Breon Pearce in a statement announcing the charges.
Police alleged Frank James donned a gas mask and threw two smoke grenades on the floor of a Manhattan-bound N train before opening fire around 8:30AM local time on April 12.
Frank James is accused of shooting 10 people and injuring at least another 13.
The suspect escaped after the attack, police said, but left behind several personal items connected to Frank James, including a key to a U-Haul van that he had rented, and a bank card with his name on it. There was also a Glock 9mm handgun legally purchased in Ohio under the name “Frank Robert James”.
Frank James reportedly called police himself to report his whereabouts on April 13, media said, citing sources in law enforcement.
The suspect, who had recent addresses in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, had nine prior arrests in New York and three in New Jersey, police said on April 13.
No details about Frank James’ alleged motive have yet been provided.
According to prosecutors, Frank James published a variety of videos online making statements about the New York City subway system, occasionally addressing New York City Mayor Eric Adams as he complained about the “homeless situation” on subway cars.
In one video, prosecutors said, Frank James said: “And so the message to me is: I should have just gotten a gun, and started shooting.”
