On April 27, 2017, a tragic incident occurred in the parking lot of the Walmart store located at 1650 W. Maloney Ave in Gallup, New Mexico. Gary Crakow, a 70-year-old man, and his partner, Virginia Leichliter, also 70, both from Mesa, Arizona, were found deceased due to gunshot wounds. The incident was reported to have started when a repossession attempt on their vehicle went awry.
According to the police report and witness accounts, Jeremy Greeson of Reservation Recovery towing service
was in the process of repossessing a black Hyundai Santa Fe belonging to the couple. As Greeson was hooking up the towing cables, Virginia Leichliter, who had been shopping inside the Walmart, returned to the vehicle and witnessed the repossession in progress. It is believed that the couple was experiencing financial difficulties and may have been living out of the vehicle.
Upon seeing the repossession, Virginia Leichliter retrieved a handgun from the car and shot Gary Crakow, who was sitting in the passenger seat, as well as their dog. She then turned the gun on herself. Officer Joe Roanhorse arrived at the scene at approximately 12:44 pm and found Virginia Leichliter lying on the ground, bleeding from the head, with the gun still in her hand and her finger near the trigger.
There were no other suspects or individuals involved in the shooting. The investigation concluded that the incident was a murder-suicide, with Virginia Leichliter being the perpetrator. No arrests were made, as both individuals involved in the incident were deceased. The police emphasized that there was no public danger, as the incident was contained and there was no gunman on the loose in Gallup.
The motive behind the shooting, while not explicitly stated, appears to be linked to the couple's financial struggles and the stress of having their vehicle repossessed. The incident highlights the tragic consequences of economic hardship and the desperate measures some individuals may take in such situations.
