RACHEL DOVE-BALDWIN
Staff Writer
HURLEY, Va. - A search for the person or persons responsible for the shooting of a Pike County resident while on the job as a Locomotive Engineer for Norfolk Southern (NS) Railway continues, under the direction of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department and NS detectives.
According to NS Spokesman Robin Chapman, Mark Jarrell, 41, of Canada, Ky., was shot in the chest area Thursday night by an unknown assailant at approximately 8:17 p.m., while separating three locomotives from a train in the Weller Railroad Yard near Hurley.
Chapman relayed that Jarrell was able to get back into the locomotive following the shooting and radioed for help.
“The bullet is lodged in Mr. Jarrell’s left shoulder and his doctors are waiting for a few days before running further tests to see if they can safely remove the bullet. They will make their decisions on what is best for the patient,” stated Chapman.
“Thankfully, the bullet did not strike any major arteries or major organs and Mr. Jarrell’s condition is stable at this time.”
The Buchanan Sheriff Deputies and NS detectives searched for the perpetrator throughout the night and over the weekend, and Sheriff Ray Foster is asking for any information from the public that may lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this attack.
Jarrell was airlifted to the Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn., following the shooting. An extensive search of the immediate area was conducted but produced no positive results. The Hurley High School and the Hurley Middle and Elementary Schools were closed on Friday as a safety measure to protect the students while the manhunt was underway. No further information as to what is suspected to have been the motive behind their horrific incident is not being released as this time.
Attempts were made to contact Jarrell at his home in Canada, Ky., but the family declined comment at this time.
Post a Comment
