L Train Gun Scare Causes Stampede At Bedford Ave Stop
July 28, 2018, 5:10 p.m.
The MTA called it a 'frightening situation.'
Photo from earlier this year.
Update: new video below.
On Saturday afternoon, some L train riders reportedly heard that there was a "gun" or "bomb" on their train, which led to panic as the train approached Bedford Ave in Williamsburg.
Tamara Kraus was on the train, and Tweeted shortly after the incident, "i'm shaking as i write this, so forgive any typos. just made my way home after what should have been a normal L train ride. We were almost to Bedford Ave as the entire car started stomping and running toward my side yelling that someone had a gun."
The MTA tweeted an update, saying, "The NYPD arrived on the scene. There was no gunman found and no reports of any shots fired." They added, "We know that may have been a frightening situation but we are committed to the safety of our customers at all times. Glad everyone is safe."
Others also shared reports from the scene:
Was just in the middle of a stampede inside the L train at #bedford station in #brooklyn. People were yelling “gun” and running for their lives. Tripping, falling, screaming, crying. I was one of those. Still not sure what actually happened. @MTA
— Vanessa Paredes (@vane_darling) July 28, 2018
People sprinting out of the L train and Bedford Ave. Guy says someone yelled “gun” or “bomb” pic.twitter.com/RiMakVzCW1
— Benjamin Running (@brunning) July 28, 2018
That was crazy. I was on the Bedford side of train getting off when everyone started running. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was a stampede of sheer panic. Seemed a lot of people thought it was some type of terror attack. Crazy bottleneck at stairs but #nypd there quick. https://t.co/uFe9ACw00y
— Scott Allan (@scottdanyc) July 28, 2018
My stomach is still turning, never have I experienced such terror and fear. To everyone with me at the Bedford Ave L train I hope you all are safe
— e (@eddiegooch_) July 28, 2018
Another passenger on the train, Tatiana Smith, told the NY Post that people were yelling, "Run! Run! Someone has a gun! Run!" She added, "When I started to run, my biggest fear was of being trampled." Some captured the scene on their videos, and you can see the chaos and people dropping items (which the MTA said may find their way to Lost & Found).
Update: some new footage shows more of the stampede.
