DALLAS (WKRC/KTVT/CBS Newspath) – A Southwest Airlines plane was shot at the airport on Friday night.
The incident occurred just before 10 p.m., when a bullet struck the right side of Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 as it was preparing for departure to Indianapolis. No injuries were reported and the plane safely taxied back to the terminal.
Kunbi Mogaji, a traveler flying from Dallas to Atlanta and then to Nigeria, expressed her disbelief.
“I was scared. I was shocked. How did that happen,” said Mogaji. “I hope it never happens again because I’m flying out today and that’s a little worrisome. I’m just going to be praying on the flight.”
Another traveler, Kreg Wagner, shared his surprise.
“Pretty surreal. I had never heard of anything like that ever happening, so that’s news to me that would happen in Dallas, let alone the U.S.,” said Wagner.
Southwest Airlines released a statement confirming the incident and stated that the affected passengers were accommodated on another flight:
Southwest Airlines Flight 2494 taxied safely back to the terminal at Dallas Love Field after a bullet apparently struck the right side of the aircraft just under the flight deck while the crew was preparing for departure for Indianapolis. No injuries were reported. Southwest accommodated our customers on another flight. The plane has been removed from service.
A spokesperson for Dallas Love Field reported that the runway was temporarily closed while police conducted their investigation. However, authorities have not provided further details about the shooting or the origin of the bullet.
Mogaji emphasized the need for enhanced security measures.
“I wish everyone safe travels, and I hope that the security becomes tighter and they find ways to make sure that stuff like this doesn’t happen again because it’s scary,” she said. “It can be scary. No one wants to be scared coming to the airport, and no one wants to be scared flying out of the airport.”