The man suspected of shooting an aggressive subway rider with his own gun will not be charged as Brooklyn prosecutors have ruled he acted in self-defense.
Younece Obuad, 32, was arrested Thursday evening after a terrifying encounter with Dajuan Robinson, 36, when the two men broke out into a wild brawl on a subway during rush hour that ultimately led to Robinson being shot in the head.
“Yesterday’s shooting on a crowded subway was shocking and deeply disturbing,” the Brooklyn district attorney’s office said Friday.
“The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, but at this stage evidence of self-defense prevents us from filing criminal charges against the shooter.”
Robinson was shot after Obuad took his gun from him during the fight. The NYPD told DailyMail.com on Friday morning that Robinson was in critical condition and it is unclear whether he will survive.
Younece Obuad, 32, (pictured during his arrest), who was suspected of shooting an aggressive subway passenger, will not face charges as Brooklyn prosecutors rule he acted in self-defense
Harrowing video revealed the moments leading up to the shooting, in which Robinson accuses Obuad of being a ‘migrant who beats up cops’ before they broke out in a wild brawl
Robinson was quickly identified as the aggressor in the encounter as he appeared to target Obuad and a female companion in the crowded subway while shouting about migrants.
As concerned commuters began filming the encounter, Robinson shouted: “F*** your child. F*** your race. Damn.’
“You think you’re going to beat up the cops? I’m going to kick your ass,” he said, apparently referring to the January incident in which a group of migrants attacked NYPD officers in Times Square.
Police were quick to note the victim’s role in the incident, telling a news conference that “if you take a gun on the train and start a fight, it’s not right.” It’s outrageous… that’s what happened here.”
The shooting took place on the A line at Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station in Brooklyn on Thursday evening, with the brawl taking place as the train entered the platform.
The gun was only seen briefly as Robinson took off his jacket, with the gun’s exposure sending commuters scrambling for the exit.
Gunshots rang out as people poured onto the platforms, with separate footage showing another car of people cowering in fear and trying to stay low after fearing a gunman was on the loose.
In the footage, passengers can be heard desperately shouting, “Get me out, get me out,” and “Where’s the NYPD?” before the car doors were opened.
On Friday, police shared an image of the weapon used in the shocking shooting on Thursday evening
In separate footage taken after the shots were fired, a train car full of people was seen cowering in fear and pleading for the subway to stand down from crime.
A video of captured the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers took cover and shouted, ‘Where’s the NYPD? Oh my God!’
As footage of the fight continued, the suspected shooter’s 32-year-old female companion appeared to pull a knife from her pocket and stab Robinson several times in the back.
“I didn’t do anything,” she replied, blood visibly seeping through the man’s shirt.
NYPD told DailyMail.com on Friday that they were actively searching for the woman, who has not yet been identified. Her status is unclear after Obuad was not charged.
Other passengers begged the pair to stop when one person said: “Come on, there are babies here.”
Obuad was later taken away by police and Robinson was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
On Friday, NYPD officials said at a news conference that the shooting victim skipped his train ticket, claiming there is a link between boaters and those who bring knives and guns onto the subway.
“Too often we see people entering the subway system to cause damage and skipping their fare,” said NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.
He said no charges have been filed and it is up to the district attorney to file them, as he emphasized that the investigation is still active.
Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry added that they had not identified any “credible threats” to the event ahead of Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“We encourage people to take the train tomorrow,” he added.
Footage posted to social media shows emergency workers rushing Robinson into an ambulance on a wheeled stretcher
The 32-year-old gunman was arrested before entering the platform and remained in custody. He is seen lying on the stairs outside the subway
A huge police presence descended on the Brooklyn subway station after reports of shots fired, and Obuad was quickly arrested on the spot.
He appeared tired as he lay next to police on a staircase next to the subway before being led out of the station in handcuffs.