BUFFALO, N.Y. -- For many, it’s a regular stop in their daily routine.
"I was one of the first [people] on the train in 1986 when it opened -- I went to high school -- and I've never seen any incident," said Buffalo resident and frequent metro rail passenger Sean O’Keefe.
But last Friday, an unidentified man was shot at NFTA's University Station. Transit Police say it was a targeted attack. They arrested 18-year-old Arkeil Gaskin after two search warrants were executed by the department's emergency response team and the FBI Thursday.
"The victim and the shooter are allegedly gang members. Both of them have extensive criminal records and both of them have done some time, but I'm not going to speculate on a motive," said NFTA Transit Police Chief George Gast.
"We are looking into some of the ties that they might have to gangs. We just can't comment on what that is yet," said Steve Lancer, assistant special agent in charge with the FBI’s Buffalo office.
Police say the victim and shooter were in the park and ride lot when the victim ran into the upper part of University Station. It was there that he was shot just inside the doors.
"There were approximately 30-50 individuals in the upper level of the station when the shooting took place, so obviously this could've been a much more serious situation than we already have," said Gast.
Transit police say a second suspect, 17-year-old Allen Jackson, was questioned extensively. He didn't immediately face charges connected to the shooting, but was held on a previously issued warrant. Officials say they think he was with Gaskin at the time.
Police say they want riders to know the station is safe, and at least one passenger agrees.
"I feel very safe, personally," said O’Keefe.
Transit police listed the charges Gaskin will face in court: attempted homicide, first-degree assault and criminal possession of a firearm.