Good Samaritans To Share $50,000 Reward For NYC Subway Shooting Tips

NEW YORK CITY — Five good Samaritans who provided key tips leading to the arrest of Brooklyn subway shooting suspect Frank James are set to share a combined $50,000 worth of Crime Stoppers Rewards, officials say.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York Police Department made the announcement with partners, the Transport Workers Union Local 100 and the New York City Police Foundation on Friday. The MTA, Transport Workers Union Local 100, and the New York City Police Foundation provided the reward money and it will be split evenly, officials said.

The NYPD pleaded with the public to help find the suspect, who was later identified as James by detectives, and several members of the public came forward with "timely, accurate information," which helped investigators, MTA officials said.

Detectives traced the "many tips that streamed into the NYPD and constructed a timeline of events" leading to James’ arrest on Wednesday afternoon in Lower Manhattan, according to officials.

The NYPD identified five people whose information contributed directly to James' arrest about 30 hours after the mass attack, and each "performed actions that, under the established Crime Stoppers procedures, elevate them to be considered for receiving reward money," officials said.

The rewards will go to the tipsters "in line with the standard criteria for distribution of Crime Stoppers rewards, which is only upon the arrest and indictment of an individual, officials said, adding, that all tipsters remain anonymous.

For More Stories On The Brooklyn Shooting:

• Arrested: Brooklyn Subway Shooting Suspect Caught In East Village
• Frank James Upgraded To 'Suspect' In Brooklyn Subway Attack: Mayor
• 17 Hurt In Brooklyn Subway After Man In Gas Mask Opens Fire
• 'I Kept My Eyes Open': Commuters Return To Sunset Park Subway Station
• U-Haul Linked To Brooklyn Subway Shooting Found: Reports
• LI PDs On High Alert After 23 Shot Or Injured In NYC Subway Shooting

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber called the NYPD "a great partner in protecting millions of subway riders every day."

“Witnesses who came forward with tips that helped detectives and federal agents put away the maniac accused of a horrific attack on our city, acted the way we encourage New Yorkers to help each other – see something, say something," he added.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams credited the five people for making it possible for the NYPD to be able to do its job "and get a dangerous suspect off the streets just hours after his picture was released."

Their bravery is "what truly make New York City the greatest city in the world," he said.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the public is "who we serve, but they are also often our best partner."

“We appreciate all of those who responded to our call for information to locate this suspect, including all of those whose tips did not pan out," she said. "We urged the public to join us in this effort to find this suspect, and New Yorkers stepped up.”

Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano said his membership applauds the alert tipsters.

“They helped police pinpoint the location of this very dangerous criminal, so he could be taken into custody," he said. "We now look forward to prosecutors taking the next step: Ensuring he never has the freedom to walk our streets or ride our subway trains again.”

President and CEO of the New York City Police Foundation, Susan L. Birnbaum said the foundation's members Foundation are "proud to have stepped forward with immediate funds to increase the reward and drive more attention to the urgent need to capture the person behind a terrible attack on New Yorkers.”

James, 62, was charged with carrying out an attack on a mass transit system, and he has been ordered held without bail.