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Passengers on a New York City subway train were thrown into panic and running for their lives when a violent clash between two men escalated into a shooting on Thursday evening. Footage captured by a passenger on the train documented the chaos, showing the initial fight and the sheer panic that erupted after one of the men was shot in the head.

In a video shared on social media, terrified commuters can be heard shouting “Close the door!” while another cries out for help, saying, “Where’s NYPD?” The harrowing footage shows passengers scrambling for cover as they crouch on the floor.

Another clip depicts one man getting into an altercation with another. “You stabbed me?” One of the men asks aggressively multiple times before pulling out a gun.

At least four gunshots pierce the air as the crowded train pulls into a downtown Brooklyn station. Officers can be heard shouting from the platform, and screams of “Let me out!” echo through the train car.

According to Associated Press (AP), the incident occurred around 4:45 pm and involved two unidentified men. Police say the confrontation began verbally and quickly escalated into a physical fight aboard the moving train.

“One of the individuals, a 36-year-old male, brandished a firearm,” said NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper during a press briefing. “The other man, 32 years old, managed to gain control of the weapon and fired multiple shots, striking the 36-year-old.”

Witnesses reported to police that the man who was shot exhibited aggressive and provocative behaviour towards the other individual prior to the brawl. Officers positioned on the station platform were able to swiftly apprehend the suspect.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing. The 36-year-old man who was shot is undergoing treatment in hospital, with his condition reported to be critical.

The shooting came a week after New York Governor Kathy Hochul sent the National Guard into the subway system to help police search people for weapons after a series of high-profile crimes on city trains, reported AP.