In a shocking incident on Thursday, a man was shot in the head with his own gun during a fight on a Brooklyn subway. The authorities suspect that the victim may have been suffering from mental illness, as he allegedly referred to himself as a police officer during the altercation.

The incident took place as a northbound A train pulled into the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets subway station around 4:45 p.m, according to the NYPD. The victim, dressed in a black jacket and red and white hat, can be seen in a video released by the police. Although the video does not show the gun he was allegedly carrying, it reveals the victim bypassing the fare gate without paying.

NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey expressed concern about the alarming behavior displayed by the victim, saying, "It seems like the man was making inferences like he was a police officer as he was speaking to the person he was having a dispute with." Maddrey also acknowledged the prevalence of mental illness among subway riders, stating, "We know we have people in the subway that suffer from mental illness."

According to authorities, the victim initiated the argument and brandished a gun. However, the 32-year-old man he was fighting with managed to disarm him and shot him in the head. Prior to the shooting, a woman stabbed the victim in his lower back while he was allegedly repeatedly assaulting the shooter.

Screaming subway riders scattered for safety as the argument escalated and multiple shots were fired, as depicted in the video footage. The NYPD swiftly responded to the incident and apprehended the shooter at the scene.

MTA Chief Janno Lieber expressed gratitude towards the police officers who intervened and responded promptly. "The cops went the extra step. As people were rushing up the stairs and rushing down the stairs, they made an immediate apprehension," Lieber stated.

The 36-year-old victim remains in critical but stable condition at the hospital, according to police reports. The shooter, a 32-year-old man, is now in police custody. It is unclear at this time whether he will face charges related to the incident. No other injuries were reported, although the incident occurred with dozens of other passengers on the train.

This unfortunate incident highlights the need for increased security measures in the subway system, as it marks the latest in a series of incidents involving weapons discovered by the NYPD. So far this year, the police have confiscated 17 weapons from the transit system.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting is ongoing. Authorities will continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses to determine the full extent of the incident.