Western Railroad Discussion > Armed Robbery Attempt at Amarillo Yard

Don't believe this has been posted, so I'll add this here. Sad news but it appears the incident could have been much worse.

http://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/apd-investigating-shooting-at-bnsf-railway

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — One man was taken to the hospital early Thursday after police said someone tried to rob him near the BNSF Railway on Johnson Street.
According to the Amarillo Police Department, just before 2:00 a.m. officers were sent to the BNSF facility at 1901 S. Johnson on this shooting incident.
Police said that's where a man reported being a victim of a robbery and had gunshot injures on a finger, elbow and upper leg.
APD said the victim had just entered the driver's side of his car that was parked on the access road near the BNSF building.
According to police, that's when a black male and Hispanic male, described as being in their late teens or early twenties, approached the passenger side of his car.
The victim then rolled down the car window to speak to them when the black male extended what police said was believed to be a rifle into the car.
APD said the Hispanic male then demanded the victim's belongings, but the victim grabbed the gun and pushed it away.
The suspect then fired the gun and both of the suspects ran away, police said.
A source told ABC 7 News a conductor was the victim in this incident. According to the source, the suspects asked for directions to Walmart, when the conductor responded that's when the man pulled out the gun.
The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injures, according to police.

The victim is a personal friend of mine, great guy who enjoys both his job and trains.

Posted from Android

The victim is a BADASS!

jointauthority --
I am soooo sorry this awful robbery happen ed to
your friend. I very much hope he recovers speedily
and without any permanent impairments.

I know railroading is dangerous, but it is not supposed
to be dangerous in this way -- getting shot! IMO, all
RRs should provide armed escorts to all operating employees
between their vehicles and their worksites in all cities.
The RRs have plenty of money for this.

The poor guy......Please tell him there are people on here
who care about him, and who hope for the very best for him.

"all
RRs should provide armed escorts to all operating employees
between their vehicles and their worksites in all cities."

The railroads will never do that. If you are not on the RR property you are on your own. That's the railroad's position. Some terminals are getting fenced in work areas with card operated gates which are an improvement but these are still far and few between and are usually not staffed by security

Brodiesel710 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The victim is a BADASS!


The victim is blessed to be alive! I hope the police catch the sorry bastards.

SantaFeRuss

Posted from Android

Are railroad employees ever allowed to carry hand guns for their own personal protection while on duty provided they have the permit(s) to carry a weapon?

DFWJIM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are railroad employees ever allowed to carry hand
> guns for their own personal protection while on
> duty provided they have the permit(s) to carry a
> weapon?

No. GCOR prohibits this. BSB

In some states, the law mandates a safe work environment must be provided to the extent reasonably possible. I suspect the railroad may have a federal pre-empt, but places known to be unsafe would be a good issue to litigate.

Posted from Android

Carrying a weapon on duty, on company property or while reporting for duty, and invoking stand your ground rules (in Texas) might seem like a good idea. I doubt it would work out that way, however.

One, the company would almost certainly fire you.

Two, the victim / thug might very well sue you for damages in civil court. Depending on the jury, you might end up paying him. ("I wasn't robbing him, I was only asking for directions to the church bible study" etc)

There is no way possible to make every place 100% safe. If a criminal wants to cause problems, he/she is going to find a way. As to carrying a gun on duty, all I'll say is that there are more carrying than you'd think. Been that way since I hired out in 1975, and a long time before that.

There are some common sense things that will deter but not eliminate crime in parking areas used by 24/7 employees such as hospitals, Walmart, railroad terminals,etc:
1. Lots of good lighting
2. Video surveillance with DVR & signs stating same
3. Patrols-not constant but regularl, looking for any suspicious activity such as car breakiins. These patrols can be done by anyone on the principle of "observe and report". (Not intervene as a police officer would do). Anyone could be assigned to this type of patrolling.
And btw these are not cost prohibitive.
BB

SantaFeRuss Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Brodiesel710 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The victim is a BADASS!
>
>
> The victim is blessed to be alive! I hope the
> police catch the sorry bastards.
>

I read it wrong, I actually thought he took the gun and started shooting at them.