Shot fired at train
Vandals hit area businesses

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — 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.


Vandals
GALLUP — Gallup police have received at least a dozen reports from residents and business owners who said their properties have been vandalized with graffiti within recent weeks, the chief of police said.

While graffiti within the community is common, Chief Sylvester Stanley said the volume of reports have increased in May. He's not certain whether to attribute the influx to the increasingly warm weather or kids who are on summer vacation, but he said the behavior has to stop.

Locations such as the newly constructed Walgreen's pharmacy on Highway 66 have also been tagged. He said re-painting costs often come at the expense of the individual business owner.

Anyone with information about those who are tagging local property, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 722-6161.


Gas leak
Gallup firefighters responded to a gas leak at the 700 block of Roseta Street on Friday afternoon.

The homeowner backed into a gas meter with his vehicle and caused it to burst at about 2:34 p.m., Shift Capt. Lujan NoDee said. A nest of weeds reportedly hid the meter from the driver's view.

Three homes, within 100 feet of the leak, were evacuated for a short period of time.

"It was fortunate that it happened in the afternoon when most people were at work," NoDee said.

After a gas company official plugged the leak, residents were allowed to return to their homes. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were finished with the scene by about 3:30 p.m.