UPDATED: 2 individuals come forward in Valley County train shooting case

After a BNSF train crew reported they had been shot at near Glasgow Tuesday night, two individuals have come forward, “identifying themselves as present during the incident,” according to the Valley County Sheriff’s Office, which is handling the investigation along with BNSF Police. 

Earlier on Wednesday the department said the train crew witnessed someone shoot at the locomotive they were operating and notified law enforcement. No one was injured, but a shell casing was found by officers at the scene as well as “additional evidence” that will be sent to the Montana Crime Lab, a Wednesday morning press release said. 

Prior to the shooting, train crews described a four-door pickup truck with overhead lighting illuminating their train with a spotlight.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the train was stopped and crew members saw a muzzle flash and smoke.

“We can’t provide specific details, but we appreciate the sheriff’s office investigating this matter as a serious threat to the safety of our employees and the public,” BNSF spokesperson Kendall Sloan wrote in an email.

The two people who came forward have been cooperating with the authorities, the Valley County Sheriff’s Office said later Wednesday afternoon. 

“Both stated their actions were not malicious or criminal in nature,” a Wednesday afternoon release from Valley County stated.

The incident happened near the intersection of Tampico Road and North Tampico Road about 12 miles from Glasgow. A train line runs along Tampico Road, and BNSF has a facility in Glasgow.

Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer said in an email whether the round was fired at the locomotive or a train car was still under investigation. When it’s dark, a muzzle flash can look like it’s “at you” Boyer wrote, and law enforcement is still investigating that question.

Additionally, Boyer said that while shooting at trains is not something that’s common in Valley County, it has been an issue elsewhere. 

“Historically, people have shot at train cars across the county. The number, volume and data on that is obscure,” Boyer wrote. “One of the reasons they stopped transporting ‘new cars’ open air and protected them with an enclosure was because people shot the windows out.”

Also, Boyer added in a press release that while law enforcement appreciates “those who care about the safety of our train crews” that the public needs to let the investigative process work as designed.

“The facts of this case are still being gathered, and every person involved is entitled to due process,” the Wednesday afternoon press release said. “Any threats directed at individuals connected to this incident are taken seriously and will be addressed by law enforcement.”