UPDATE: Residents in Bluffton, South Carolina, are on high alert as gunfire disrupts their once-peaceful neighborhood. For over a year, the Lakes at New Riverside community has endured sporadic gunshots, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Neighbors report hearing rapid gunfire lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, often at unpredictable hours. One resident, wishing to remain anonymous, expressed their fear, stating, “I don’t even want to come outside.” Another described the situation as feeling like “sitting ducks,” with bullets flying too close for comfort.
Evidence of danger is mounting. Residents shared photos of a bullet lodged in the siding of one home and damage to a nearby fence, underscoring the severity of the situation. “I was literally standing on my back patio when a bullet whizzed by my head,” one neighbor recounted. These alarming incidents have led to increasing calls for action from local authorities.
Despite multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire, residents claim their pleas have often gone unanswered. One neighbor recounted, “I called 911 because someone was shooting into our neighborhood. No one came out.” Instead, they have been directed to use a non-emergency number, leading to frustration among community members. “It’s a non-emergency that a man is shooting less than 200 feet behind my property directly towards my home. I don’t understand how that’s non-emergency,” another resident stated.
Authorities have indicated that the gunfire is likely originating from target practice on a property adjacent to the neighborhood. The presence of a gravel road and a berm is the only barrier separating the shooter from the homes, intensifying concerns for safety.
In a bid for change, residents initiated a petition that has garnered 118 signatures, seeking to prompt local and state officials to take action. They argue that existing ordinances should be revised to prevent firearms from being discharged toward residential properties. The neighborhood, still under construction, is expected to expand significantly, raising stakes for safety.
As residents continue to advocate for their safety, they have reached out to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, which has confirmed they are investigating the situation. However, residents reported being told that the sheriff’s office would not extract the bullet lodged in the siding of the damaged home, leaving them to cover the costs themselves.
“This is growing. There are going to be even more houses that are being built here,” a concerned neighbor stated, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the public safety threat. Local authorities must act swiftly to ensure the safety of families in the Lakes at New Riverside neighborhood.
WSAV is closely following developments in this urgent situation and will provide updates as they emerge. Residents remain hopeful for change and are determined to protect their families and community from potential harm.
