Two 18-year-olds, Ronald Gutierrez and Carlos Loyo Jhean, were arrested following a reported gun discharge at the 42nd Street–Port Authority subway station yesterday, according to NYPD officials. At approximately 8:30 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting gunshots on the mezzanine level serving the A, C, and E lines. Authorities recovered one shell casing at the scene but did not locate the firearm used, Gothamist reports. Police are investigating the intended target of the incident and confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Following reports of the incident, the two men were identified by bystanders and subsequently arrested. No injuries were reported. A street performer at the scene told ABC7NY, "I saw a bunch of kids, messing around, teenagers. Something went off. sounded like a Gunshot. not really too sure. Everyone started running. I stood here continued rapping." The area was temporarily closed for evidence collection but has since reopened to pedestrian traffic.
Gutierrez, who is listed as living at the Row Hotel, which operates as one of the city’s largest shelters for migrant families, was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly having a knife, and theft of service, a charge typically associated with fare evasion. Jhean, who is from North Corona, was charged with reckless endangerment and theft of service. The NYPD stated that both individuals are awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court. Information about their legal representation was not immediately available.
While the Port Authority incident occurred, data shows a broader decline in subway crime. Figures reported today indicate that New York’s transit system saw nearly a 25% decrease in crime in November compared with the same month last year, making it the safest November on record for transit crime outside the pandemic period of reduced ridership, based on data cited by Gothamist. Transit crimes in the Midtown South Precinct rose by 8% compared with 2024, while shootings citywide have declined by 23% year over year.
