Brooklyn Subway Shooter Receives 10 Life Sentences

Facts

• Frank James, the man behind a mass shooting in a Brooklyn subway station last year, received 10 life sentences plus 10 years on Thursday.¹
• James, 64, pleaded guilty in January to 10 counts of terrorism, one for each of the people he shot on April 12, 2022. He had set off a smoke bomb before firing 32 shots from his handgun, according to prosecutors who say he had planned the attack for years.²
• No one was killed in the morning rush hour attack, but 10 people were wounded by gunshots, while 13 others sustained smoke-related injuries. The suspect was apprehended in Manhattan 30 hours after the attack and had 12 prior arrests on his record.³
• James made a 15-minute statement to the court, saying he was solely “responsible” for the attack, but he also criticized the US mental health system. His attorneys tried to have the sentence reduced to 18 years, citing mental illness.⁴
• James, who is Black, had an online persona called the “Prophet of Doom,” which saw him post numerous videos expressing disdain toward several races, though he claimed that race had nothing to do with his attack and that he didn’t intend to kill anyone.⁵
• US District Judge William Kuntz was unconvinced by his argument and told James that his actions were “pure evil.” While evidence suggested he intended to kill people, James’ lawyer says he changed his mind in the heat of the moment.⁴

Sources: ¹CBS, ²BBC News, ³Reuters, ⁴Associated Press and ⁵New York Post.

Narratives

• Right narrative, as provided by Washington Free Beacon. While there is an obvious consensus that Frank James’ violent attack was abhorrent, there has been a nefarious, but not unique, response from the corporate media and liberal leaders. News outlets have consistently glossed over, or outright ignored, James’ race and the fact that his attack was inspired by hatred against White people and other groups. The double standard of race is apparent in every facet of American media.
• Left narrative, as provided by Guardian. As heinous as James’ crime was, he is a victim of years of abuse, mental illness, and homelessness, calling attention to the mental health crisis that is affecting so many people —  especially men — in the US. Many studies show many people desperately need mental health care but don't receive adequate treatment. While James is responsible for his actions, there's a clear systemic problem that contributed to his attack.