UPDATE: Residents of the Lakes at New Riverside neighborhood in Bluffton, S.C., are living in fear as gunfire disrupts their once-peaceful community. For over a year, terrifying gunshots have become a routine occurrence, with neighbors reporting rapid-fire shots lasting from 30 minutes to several hours at random hours.
Many residents, wishing to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, describe the atmosphere as alarming. “I don’t even want to come outside,” said one neighbor. Another added, “I feel terrified,” emphasizing the distress that has enveloped the community. One resident recounted a harrowing moment when a bullet whizzed by her head while she was on her back patio.
The situation has escalated to a public safety crisis. Neighbors believe they are being targeted from a nearby property used for shooting practice. Physical evidence includes a bullet lodged in the siding of one home, prompting residents to call law enforcement multiple times. They expressed frustration, stating, “I called 911 the last time and I asked someone to come out because someone was shooting into our neighborhood. No one came out.”
Instead of receiving immediate assistance, residents have been directed to contact the non-emergency number for reports of gunfire. “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,” one resident exclaimed.
Despite their numerous calls, the Bluffton Police and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office have cited jurisdictional issues, leaving the community feeling abandoned. The neighborhood has even launched a petition that has gathered 118 signatures in an effort to prompt action from local authorities.
Neighbors are urging officials to reconsider existing ordinances that currently allow shooting near residential areas. They argue that changes are necessary to protect families as the neighborhood continues to grow, with hundreds of additional homes planned.
As residents continue to live in fear, they are now faced with the financial burden of extracting the bullet themselves, as the sheriff’s office has declined to assist. “We were informed that we would have to pay out of pocket for someone else to extract it, and the responsibility of pursuing anything further would be on us,” a neighbor reported.
Residents remain hopeful that law enforcement will recognize the urgency of their situation and take decisive action. “This is growing. There are going to be even more houses being built here. We’re just trying to protect ourselves and our kids,” another resident stated, reflecting the collective anxiety gripping the community.
Authorities are investigating the situation, but the lack of immediate response has left residents feeling increasingly vulnerable. As the situation develops, local residents are calling for urgent action to ensure their safety in the face of ongoing gunfire threats.
