(The following article by Leslie Wood was posted on the Gallup Independent website on May 28.)
GALLUP, N.M. — A single shot was fired at a BNSF train on Friday morning and shattered portions of the locomotive’s double-paned windshield.
The train was traveling eastbound just under the Highway 118 overpass near Mile Marker 8, when the conductor reportedly saw a group of about five teenagers standing near the tracks. One of the individuals fired a shot at the train, which punctured the first pane of the windshield.
No injuries were reported. The train continued eastbound, following the shooting, to the Gallup rail yard. New Mexico State Police responded to the scene and the Window Rock Police Department will file a back-up report about the shooting. Sheriff’s deputies also responded to the original call for assistance.
“I am concerned about it,” Under Sheriff John Yearley said. “When you hear about something like this, you automatically think of the Beltway Shooter and incidents like that.”
A BNSF police officer said the department is offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect. BNSF officials can be reach at 1-800-832-5452.