Gallup officer and civilian stabbed at Big 5 on U.S. 491

A Gallup police officer and another person were stabbed Friday during a call for service at the Big 5 Sporting Goods store off U.S. Highway 491, city police reported. Both victims were transported to a hospital; their conditions were not reported in the initial update.

Gallup police said officers responded to the scene after a call for service at the retail store. Detectives and additional officers were deployed to the area to secure the scene and begin an active investigation. As of 10:07 p.m. MST on Jan. 16 the investigation remained ongoing and authorities were still working to develop a full timeline of events.

The incident interrupted normal activity along the busy stretch of U.S. 491 that serves shoppers and commuters through western McKinley County. Big 5 Sporting Goods occupies a visible spot for Gallup motorists and visitors; a stabbing during a police response in that location raises immediate questions about public safety, emergency response protocols and officer safety during retail calls. Local residents can expect heightened patrols and a police presence in the near term while detectives gather evidence and interview witnesses.

Details about the suspect or suspects, the sequence of events leading to the stabbings, and the medical status of the injured parties were not included in the initial briefing. Investigators have not released information on whether anyone has been arrested or charged. The limited details released so far leave open how this incident might affect store operations, local traffic patterns, and policing strategies for responses to similar calls at retail locations.

For McKinley County residents, the episode underscores the risks officers and bystanders can face during routine calls and the importance of timely, transparent updates from law enforcement. Community leaders and civic groups often look to such incidents as moments to review safety measures for public spaces, employer emergency plans for retail workers, and communication channels between police and residents.

Expect further updates as Gallup police release more information about the investigation, the victims’ conditions and any potential arrests. In the meantime, residents traveling U.S. 491 near the Big 5 store should anticipate intermittent police activity and follow any directions from officers on scene as detectives continue their work.