BREAKING: Residents of the Lakes at New Riverside neighborhood in Bluffton, S.C., are living in fear as gunfire continues to plague their community. For over a year, families have reported random gunshots ringing out at all hours, disrupting the once-peaceful suburb and leaving many feeling unsafe.
Neighbors describe the harrowing experience as akin to being “sitting ducks.” One resident recounted, “I was literally standing on my back patio and a bullet whizzed by my head.” The alarming reports have been corroborated by physical evidence, including a bullet lodged in the siding of a home and damage to a fence.
Residents, wishing to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, have made numerous calls to law enforcement. However, they claim responses have been woefully inadequate. “I called 911 the last time and asked someone to come out because someone was shooting into our neighborhood. No one came out,” one resident stated. Instead, they have been directed to use a non-emergency number for such incidents, which they find baffling given the danger posed just feet from their homes.
UPDATE: Neighbors believe the shots originate from an unincorporated property located less than 200 feet behind their homes, where target practice is reportedly taking place. With construction ongoing in the area and hundreds more homes planned, the urgency for action is palpable.
The neighborhood has taken matters into their own hands, creating a petition that has garnered 118 signatures to push for changes in local ordinances that would prevent such dangerous activities. “This is growing. There are going to be even more houses being built here. We just want to protect ourselves and our kids,” a concerned neighbor emphasized.
Despite the mounting pressure from the community, Bluffton Police and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office have cited jurisdictional issues as reasons for their lack of action. As of Monday, neighbors were informed that the sheriff’s office would not extract the bullet from the damaged home, leaving residents to shoulder the cost of hiring someone to do it themselves.
Authorities confirm they are actively investigating the situation, but residents feel abandoned in their plight. “We’ve tried to get law enforcement and local officials to take this seriously, but we’re met with roadblocks,” one neighbor lamented.
As this situation unfolds, the Lakes at New Riverside community remains on high alert, hoping for swift intervention before a tragedy occurs. Residents are urging anyone who can help to take immediate action to ensure the safety of their neighborhood. The persistent threat of gunfire has transformed their lives, pushing them to advocate for changes that could protect their homes and families in the future.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as residents continue to seek answers and action from local authorities.
