By A Southwest Airlines flight preparing for takeoff at Dallas Love Field Airport was struck by gunfire Friday night, forcing the evacuation of 99 passengers and prompting a temporary runway closure, authorities said.
Flight 2494, bound for Indianapolis, was hit by “a bullet apparently striking the right side of the aircraft under the flight deck” as it readied for departure, according to a Southwest spokesperson. The Boeing 737-800 Max aircraft returned to the gate where passengers safely deplaned, with no injuries reported.
Dallas police responded to reports of gunfire at 9:48 p.m. local time and confirmed the aircraft had been struck near the cockpit, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. While officials have not formally announced the circumstances, local television station WFAA reported that investigators believe the incident resulted from random gunfire.
“We are working to accommodate all passengers on other flights,” Southwest Airlines said in a statement. The domestic airport’s runway was temporarily closed but has since resumed operations.
The incident comes days after three planes were hit by gunfire while landing or taking off at Port-au-Prince’s main airport in Haiti, prompting the FAA to impose a 30-day ban on U.S. airlines flying to the Caribbean nation amid escalating gang violence.
Dallas police are leading the investigation into the shooting, which raises concerns about security perimeters around major U.S. airports and aircraft vulnerability to external threats.
