Gallup Police Seek Help Finding Missing 40-Year-Old Terry McCray

Gallup Police Department is asking the public to help locate 40-year-old Terry McCray, who was reported missing on Jan. 17. Authorities say McCray was last seen leaving Fire Rock Casino around 3:10 p.m. on Jan. 8, and family and officers are urging anyone with information to come forward.

McCray is described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing roughly 145 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is believed to drive a maroon Ford Explorer bearing Arizona license plates. The department’s missing-person notice included a photo of McCray and a request that anyone with information contact Metro Dispatch or the Gallup Police Department.

The case has prompted concern across McKinley County, where community networks and local businesses often play a central role in sharing leads. Fire Rock Casino is a well-known local landmark and a regular point of transit for residents and visitors; a person last seen departing that location may have traveled on regional roads that link Gallup with neighboring communities. For residents, the immediate priorities are public safety and the welfare of McCray’s family, and timely tips can be critical in missing-person investigations.

Gallup police are relying on standard community sources of information: eyewitness reports, surveillance footage from businesses along likely travel routes, and cellphone or vehicle sightings reported through dispatch. While the department has not released additional investigative details, the public appeal signals that police are seeking outside leads to narrow the timeline of McCray’s movements between Jan. 8 and the date his disappearance was reported.

The local impact of such cases goes beyond the individuals directly involved. Missing-person investigations can strain municipal resources and raise broader concerns about safety at public venues and along arterial routes. They also test local communication channels: prompt reporting to Metro Dispatch or Gallup PD can accelerate search efforts and help coordinate responses among law enforcement, tribal partners, and volunteers.

Residents who may have seen McCray, his vehicle, or anything unusual near Fire Rock Casino around Jan. 8 are asked to contact Metro Dispatch or the Gallup Police Department with details. Police included a photo in their public notice to aid identification. As the investigation continues, community tips will shape next steps and could be decisive in locating McCray and resolving the case.