Gunfire Hits Commercial Airliner Near Cockpit as Plane Taxis Before Takeoff — And Shocked Passengers Speak Out
A bullet hit a Southwest Airlines plane near the cockpit as the flight was taxiing for takeoff at Dallas Love Field on Friday night, KXAS-TV reported.
An airport spokesperson told the station the gunfire forced an evacuation of the flight, and KXAS added that Dallas Police are looking for whoever pulled the trigger.
Flight 2494 was struck around 8:30 p.m., KXAS said, citing the Federal Aviation Administration, which added that the plane — which was taxiing for takeoff to Indianapolis — returned to the gate where passengers deplaned. . .
The station spoke to Shannon and Jamie Lee who were aboard the flight with two of their children; the couple told KXAS everything seemed normal until they heard the pilot on the loudspeaker.
“He said there’s a rattle outside of the plane, and they needed to return back to the gate,” Jamie Lee recalled to the station.
The couple told KXAS the pilot said the plane needed to be checked to determine if it was functional — then added that the front of the plane was damaged, and everyone would have to deplane. (Read more from “Gunfire Hits Commercial Airliner Near Cockpit as Plane Taxis Before Takeoff — And Shocked Passengers Speak Out” HERE)
