DALLAS — The cockpit of a Southwest Airlines plane was hit by a bullet at Dallas Love Field Friday night, sources and officials told WFAA.
A Southwest spokesperson said the plane was hit while preparing for departure to Indianapolis. No injuries were reported, the spokesperson said. One bullet went through the cockpit, sources tell WFAA. Police believe the shooting was a result of random gunfire, sources say.
The Dallas Police Department said it responded to the shooting at about 9:48 p.m. at 8000 Herb Kelleher Way. A police source confirmed to WFAA that 99 people were aboard the flight when it was hit.
Passengers onboard the flight deplaned after the aircraft was hit and left Dallas Love Field on a different plane around 11:56 p.m. The flight landed in Indianapolis around 1:58 a.m., according to FlightAware.
Southwest Airlines released the following statement on the incident:
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 will accommodate our Customers on another flight. Law enforcement authorities have been notified and the plane has been removed from service.
Dallas PD's Special Investigations Unit is investigating the incident, sources say. Runway 13R/31L was temporarily closed while police investigated but has since reopened, according to a Love Field spokesperson.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) audio from liveatc.net shared the moment that ATC was notified of the incident.
"They think that somebody from outside the airport shot a firearm at the aircraft and we're just now finding out that that's what they think happened. They had gone back to the gate," an air traffic controller said. "They went back to Gate 1, we've already been talking with the Southwest dispatch -- we're gonna call the police now."
This isn't the first high-profile security incident at Love Field in recent years.
In 2022, a woman wearing a hoodie and a mask walked to an area near the Southwest ticket counter, raised a gun into the air and fired three shots, WFAA previously reported. The shooting forced airport security officials to evacuate the entire airport and re-screen everyone. A judge later found the suspect not guilty by reason of insanity
In Jan 2024, one person was shot near a car rental area outside Dallas Love Field Airport, WFAA previously reported.
This is a developing story. We will update this article with the latest information as it comes.