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Writer's pictureLori Lee WGOLV

Southwest Airlines struck by bullet before takeoff at Dallas Airport Friday

A Southwest Airlines flight leaving Dallas returned to its gate after being struck by a bullet before takeoff on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).


On Friday, Nov. 15, Flight 2494 was preparing to leave Dallas Love Field Airport when it was "struck by gunfire near the cockpit" the FAA said.


In a statement, the FAA detailed that the Boeing 737-800 was on its way to Indianapolis International Airport before the shooting.


According to PEOPLE no injuries were reported after they spoke to a rep at Southwest.

It is not immediately clear where the gunfire came from they said.



The shooting took place as the crew was preparing for departure.  Per a Southwest spokesperson's statement, "The plane then "taxied safely back to the terminal."


They added that "a bullet apparently struck the right side of the aircraft just under the flight deck."


"Southwest accommodated our Customers on another flight," the airline representative also said. "Law enforcement authorities have been notified and the plane has been removed from service."


A Dallas Love Field Airport spokesperson told PEOPLE that the shooting led to a response from the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue. They said runway 13R/31L was "temporarily" closed before reopening, as police carried out an investigation.


According to a Facebook post, the airport said that there was "minimal impact on airline operations."


The Dallas Police Department confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE on Nov. 16 that it responded to the "shooting call" around 9:48 p.m. and was the "lead agency" in the investigation, which is currently ongoing.


The incident took place the same week that a Spirit Airlines flight was hit by gunfire in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., according to The Hill.








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