SUV plows through 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
Moments before the SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
GALLUP
What was supposed to be a joyous event turned into a nightmarish scene of terrified families screaming for their lives.
Around 7:50 p.m., about 20 minutes into the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade on Thursday evening, parade watchers began screaming as they scrambled to avoid an SUV that sped through the crowd on Coal Avenue in downtown Gallup.
According to New Mexico State Police officer Dusty Francisco, multiple people, including two officers from the Gallup Police Department, were injured from the SUV.
PHOTO GALLERY
Scenes from the incident. Select image to launch full-screen view.
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
A McKinley County Sheriff’s deputy consoles a young girl after an SUV allegedly drove through a crowd of people at the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade on Thursday evening in Gallup. Police say the suspects allegedly involved have been arrested.
A McKinley County Sheriff’s deputy consoles a young girl after an SUV allegedly drove through a crowd of people at the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade on Thursday evening in Gallup. Police say the suspects allegedly involved have been arrested.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
Attendees embrace each other after a brown SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Attendees embrace each other after a brown SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
Attendees leave the parade after a brown SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Attendees leave the parade after a brown SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
Gallup Police officers arrive at the scene after a brown SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Gallup Police officers arrive at the scene after a brown SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
A man with his horse waits with people alongside the street Thursday evening in downtown Gallup, where an SUV plowed through the parade during the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial.
A man with his horse waits with people alongside the street Thursday evening in downtown Gallup, where an SUV plowed through the parade during the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
First responders give medical attention to a woman with a leg injury before being taken to the hospital Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
First responders give medical attention to a woman with a leg injury before being taken to the hospital Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
An attendee with a leg injury sits in an ambulance before being taken to the hospital Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
An attendee with a leg injury sits in an ambulance before being taken to the hospital Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
Gallup Police Officer Ramone Perez receives medical assistance after having a panic attack Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Gallup Police Officer Ramone Perez receives medical assistance after having a panic attack Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
A crowd rushes into a store for safety after an SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
A crowd rushes into a store for safety after an SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
Moments before the SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Moments before the SUV drove through the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade route Thursday evening in downtown Gallup.
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Gallup Police officers escort a suspect allegedly involved in an incident involving an SUV that drove through a crowd of parade watchers on Thursday evening during the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade in Gallup.
Gallup Police officers escort a suspect allegedly involved in an incident involving an SUV that drove through a crowd of parade watchers on Thursday evening during the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade in Gallup.
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Heavily armed police officers from the Gallup Police Department and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office make their way through a crowd to investigate alleged shots fired report after an SUV plowed through parade watchers who were at the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade in Gallup on Thursday. Police did not locate an alleged shooting suspect, and law enforcement continued investigating the incident.
Heavily armed police officers from the Gallup Police Department and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office make their way through a crowd to investigate alleged shots fired report after an SUV plowed through parade watchers who were at the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade in Gallup on Thursday. Police did not locate an alleged shooting suspect, and law enforcement continued investigating the incident.
Francisco said state police and Gallup police are investigating the incident.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, who was participating in the parade, said he saw a vehicle trying to hit people sitting along the street watching the parade.
“Thank God that nobody got hurt,” he said.
A witness who wanted to remain anonymous said she and her family were sitting on the corner of Second Street and Route 66 intersection when they heard someone screaming to get out of the way.
“That’s when we saw the car coming. He (The alleged driver) turned the sharp turn to the right. Then everybody just tried to stop him. He hit two people. He hit an old lady and another lady,” the witness said.
Delphelia Begay Charley from Yatahey said she is thankful her 2-year-old daughter and her parents are OK, as she sobbed.
“I’m just thankful my daughter and my parents are OK,” she said.
Heavily armed police officers began scouring the parade route after people reported they heard alleged gunshots. It’s not known if anyone was arrested relating to the alleged call.
Police arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the incident as police led them away in handcuffs.
A New Mexico State Police vehicle, witnesses said blocked the Chevy Tahoe the suspects were driving, showed signs of front-end damage on the driver’s side. Another vehicle, a silver car, witnesses said the SUV allegedly hit, showed signs of damage on its driver’s side. A business also showed signs of damage as skid marks from a tire could be seen driving into it.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident. A motive for what may have caused the SUV drivers to speed down the middle of the parade has not been given.
Highway 264,
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