Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD: MTA guard shot unarmed man during confrontation in Park Slope station
By
Gwynne Hogan
Published Dec 21, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
NYPD
By
Gwynne Hogan
Published Dec 21, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An unarmed man was in critical condition after getting in an argument with an armed MTA security worker who shot him once in the chest Tuesday evening, police officials said.
The shooting happened at around 9 p.m. Tuesday night in the Union Street R train stop in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, when two MTA workers — one who repairs the MetroCard vending machines, and a second who acts as an armed guard for the other — were waiting on the platform for a southbound R to arrive.
A man approached the two and started arguing with them, threatening to beat them up, according to NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper, who spoke at a press conference outside the subway stop Tuesday night.
Kemper said they tried to leave the station, but the man followed them, still continuing to threaten the workers, and kept advancing towards the two.
The armed transit worker took out his gun and warned the man to back up and fired one shot when he didn’t, Kemper said.
The 39-year-old was shot in the chest and rushed to the hospital where he remained in critical condition as of Wednesday morning, officials said. The man didn’t have a weapon, officials said.
NYC Transit President Richard Davey said the employee who opened fire was a 21-year-veteran of the MTA and one of 274 armed agents who provide security while MetroCard machines are getting serviced.
“This is a tragic event. We have two employees who were going about their business,” Davey said. “And we have a gentleman in the hospital.”
No one had been arrested as of Wednesday morning, police officials said.
Kemper said the man in critical condition was “known to the department” through prior arrests, but declined to elaborate.
Tagged
shooting
MTA
Gwynne Hogan
Gwynne Hogan is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
MTA should eliminate some jobs to prepare for budget woes, watchdog writes
The Citizens Budget Commission suggested eliminating one crew member from trains that are fully automated.
By
Stephen Nessen
Published Nov 2, 2026 at 12:05 a.m. ET
NYC Council to scrutinize snow removal plans as winter approaches
Lawmakers will review the city's preparations and consider a bill requiring the city to publish historical snowplowing records.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
NYC Council to scrutinize snow removal plans as winter approaches
Lawmakers will review the city's preparations and consider a bill requiring the city to publish historical snowplowing records.
By
Catalina Gonella
'The best day of the year': Inside Clinton Hill's 'mile nine' NYC marathon party
By
Stephanie Keith
November has 3 meteor showers and the best chance to see Uranus
By
Rosemary Misdary
A 'beautiful' day for a marathon, as runners, spectators pack NYC streets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .