Gunman in nightshirt blasts speed van: Video

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - The shooter dressed in a flowing nightshirt who opened fire on a Santa Fe, N.M., speed-enforcement van in the middle of the night likely won’t get away with it because the van’s video camera recorded the entire episode.

Last week the gunman shot up the speed van while parked on Bishop’s Lodge Road near Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe.

“He walks toward the speed van and he actually begins to fire rounds into the windshield and toward the top portion of the vehicle,” said Santa Fe Police Capt. Aric Wheeler.

The man fired off five bullets from a revolver.

He may not have put much thought into his outfit.  He was barefoot and wearing only a night shirt, but police said knew exactly what he wanted to do.

Officers got their first look at the video Friday, too.

“I didn’t expect somebody to be slowly, methodically walking up and taking shots at the vehicle,” Wheeler said.

Investigators have not been able to identify the man in the video yet.

They do however have their suspicions as to why he may have opened fire.

“If in fact it turns out that he got a citation from the speed van, he’s looking at a $100 fine," Wheeler said.  "Now we’re looking at felony charges."

The target practice caused about $1,000 in damage.  The cameras themselves were not hit.

Last week’s shooting was the second time this speed van has been targeted.

In February someone also shot at it, but police think it was with a BB gun.

In this most recent case captured on camera, police said it appears the shooting was more personal.

“This seemed to be a very emotional action that was taken on the part of this gentleman,” Wheeler said.

Police are hoping the man will make their job a little easier and turn himself in.

Santa Fe police had to wait for that video because it goes directly to Redflex , the Arizona company that operates the cameras.

Wheeler did not want to say how the speed van's camera, which snaps pictures of speeders, was triggered to start recording.

Police said they'd appreciate a call from anyone who recognizes the man.