NYPD identifies victim in Bronx 4 train shooting, searches for 3 gunmen

Police have identified the man who was killed on Monday afternoon when a fight on a Bronx subway train led to a shooting on the platform.

Obed Beltran-Sanchez, 35, was fatally wounded when gunfire erupted at the Mt. Eden Avenue subway station, after a fight escalated between two groups of teenagers riding a 4 train, according to police.

Police said on Tuesday morning that they notified his family, but were still working to figure out exactly where he lived.

Five additional people ranging from 14 to 71 years old were also shot and wounded in the incident. Police said they were all taken to local hospitals in stable condition.

It wasn't clear which of the victims were bystanders or involved in the dispute. Officers said on Monday they did not believe the shooting to be random.

The killing came less than a month after a 45-year-old man was shot dead aboard a 3 train in Crown Heights, Brooklyn while trying to break up a fight over loud music, according to reports. It also follows a recent Times Square shooting where the alleged gunman escaped into the subway.

NYPD data shows that there were nine murders in the subway system in 2022 and five murders last year. While police say overall subway crime was down last year compared to 2022, assaults have spiked dramatically within the MTA system, compared to before the pandemic.

Commuters returned to the Mt. Eden Avenue station as the investigation continued and said the disturbing incident would not change their routines.

“You just try and put it to the back of your mind so you can go to work, you know?” said Courtney Crawford, 41. “The helicopter was still flying around for a while yesterday, and I'm here every day, so seeing that is pretty upsetting.”

Antonio Carson, 61, said he didn’t worry much about safety at the station, and noted he often sees police patrolling there. He said that what worried him were young people with firearms.

“These kids can get access to guns. As long as you got money, you can have guns,” Carson said.

Police said on Tuesday that two shooters were being sought in the subway platform shooting that hit the six victims. One of those victims was also being investigated as a potential third shooter, NYPD officials said Tuesday evening.

"We have one [person of interest] possibly identified from one group and we're still working to identify the other two," NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said at a media availability on Tuesday.

Investigators were canvassing for video and looking for additional witnesses in the businesses near the elevated platform on Tuesday, NYPD officials said.

Police were not sure what caused the fight and asked anyone with information to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477); for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website.

Stephen Nessen contributed reporting.

This story has been updated with new information.