By Currents News Staff and Melissa Enaje
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — A man who shot and killed Daniel Enriquez, 48, on a Q train in Lower Manhattan on Sunday, May 22 was still at large after what appeared to be a random act of violence, according to authorities. It was the fourth subway homicide since Jan. 1.
Witnesses said as soon as they heard the loud gunshot, they fled to the end of the car as it passed over the Manhattan Bridge, scrambling and huddling for cover. When the train pulled into the Canal Street station, the alleged gunman fled as police officers were arriving at the scene.
On Monday, the NYPD released two photos of the suspect. In the images, the man is wearing a surgical mask, white shoes, gray sweatpants, and a dark-hooded sweatshirt. Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a tweet that they need help in locating the man accused of the ‘senseless shooting.’
“We need all eyes on this,” Sewell said.
The shooting comes nearly a month after the Sunset Park subway shooting rampage in which 10 people were shot and at least 13 others were left injured and after the January shoving death of a woman in the Times Square station.
As ongoing violent episodes across New York City streets and subways continue, Mayor Eric Adams faces an increasingly impatient public who have yet to see the promises of his “Subway Safety Plan.” Released in February, it laid out how his administration intends to address public safety concerns and the increasing number of homeless people, and those with mental illness on public transportation.
Since the start of the pandemic, subway crime rates have soared over 40% — from 1.47 felonies per million riders in 2019 to 2.11 felonies per million riders in April 2022. Also, felony subway crime was up 53% in April compared to April 2021, according to NYPD and MTA figures.
Enriquez, who lived in Park Slope, was headed to brunch in Manhattan that fatal Sunday, according to his sister, Griselda Vile. She described her brother as a “special, jovial guy.”
“It’s horrific,” Vile said. “This is a horror movie.”
Adams said his administration will continue to boost police presence in the subways and during his first state of the city address last month, Adams said he wants to see cops spending less time on their phones while patrolling the subway.