The Durango Police Department is investigating what appears to be a drive-by shooting of a used car lot, in which about a dozen vehicles were sprayed with bullets.
The shooting occurred early Sunday or Monday at Whitney Auto Sales, 907 Camino del Rio, across from south City Market in Durango, said David Wegher, owner of the dealership.
“They shot 12 of my cars,” he said Wednesday. “We’ve found 15 bullet holes from a high-powered rifle. ... They just riddled my cars with bullets.”
He estimated the damage at $35,000 to $45,000.
Wegher said he is prepared to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the incident.
“I want them caught, and we’re going to do everything we can,” he said.
A man who is living homeless in the area reported being woken up by the sound of shots fired between 2 and 5 a.m. Sunday, he said.
The Durango Police Department confirmed it is investigating.
Detective Chris Winchester said police are trying to pinpoint the exact time of the incident. Investigators are seeking surveillance footage from south City Market and Prohibition Herb in an effort to identify the vehicle from which the shots were fired. It appears as if the vehicle was traveling northbound, based on the angle of the bullet holes, he said.
Police are unsure if the shooting was a random act or if someone targeted Wegher’s business, perhaps a disgruntled customer. A used car lot next to Whitney Auto Sales was not hit, nor were any other businesses or homes.
Wegher said he has no doubt someone targeted his business.
“There’s no other vandalism anywhere up and down anywhere,” he said. “No other people have called in on shots fired, bullet holes in their cars or anything. ... They targeted this dealership as a disgruntled customer, I imagine.”
He said it is unfortunate that someone would resort to shooting up a business because they are disgruntled.
“I’ve lived here my whole life; I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “… It makes me sad.”
The vehicles shot include a 2012 BMW, 2017 Ford F-150 Platinum, 2020 Dodge Ram and 2019 Volvo XC40, among others. Most of the damage was done to the panels of the vehicles. At least one projectile hit a radiator, and four tires were blown out. One bullet ricocheted off a Volvo and hit the building of the business.
“You lay there in bed and try to figure out who the hell hates me this bad,” he said.
Police suspect the shots were fired from a 9 mm gun, possibly a rifle.
Anyone with information about the shooting or if they heard gunshots in the early hours of Sunday or Monday, is asked to call Winchester at 759-0435.
shane@durangoherald.com
