Police searching for suspects who shot at train

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Albany Police Department wants the public’s help identifying the juveniles who shot at a Georgia & Florida Railway freight train as it was coming in to the Albany station Wednesday evening.

The train was passing the the 100 block of Booker Avenue, just west of the Flint River, when several juveniles ran out onto the right of way, and started firing a pistol.

The train engineer told police he heard noises, then saw two males running down the railroad tracks.

Multiple bullets struck the train, close to where the operator was standing. The damage to the front window is said to be about $300, but if the engineer had been hit, he could have been killed. The train cannot stop itself.

The Georgia & Florida Railway issued this statement:

"Daily, our railroad moves freight across the Flint River to the Norfolk Southern railroad. It is not unusual to see trespassers on the railroad trestle going over the Flint River. Last night, as our train was moving over the bridge, a group of adolescents stepped out of the woods near the train tracks.

One of the individuals was armed with a small caliber pistol and began firing multiple rounds at the locomotive engine. The bullets landed just feet from the engineer operating the train. If the Engineer had been struck and injured, there would have been no way to stop the train.

These trains often carry hazardous materials, and this could have been disastrous.The safety of our employees and the Albany community are of the utmost importance. We ask that you pass this information along to anyone that can identify the juvenile and hold him accountable for his actions. Spread the message to our youth to stay away from the tracks.

Thank you for your time."

If you can identify anyone in the photo, call APD or Crimestoppers, at 436-TIPS. You could earn a reward.

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