Gun Violence Crests in Beaufort Area: Five Incidents in Five Days
In the charming city of Beaufort, South Carolina, residents are on edge as the community has reported an alarming increase in gunfire-related incidents. Just recently, police were called to investigate five separate shootings over a span of five days, highlighting a troubling trend of gun violence that has crept into various neighborhoods north of the Broad River.
Lucky Escapes and Accidental Discharges
Thankfully, no locals were reported injured in these recent events, but the violence took its toll on a beloved pitbull on St. Helena Island. This poor pup suffered severe injuries due to what appeared to be shotgun blasts. Local authorities are taking these incidents seriously, attempting to understand the underlying causes of this gun violence.
Among the incidents, one shooting was classified as an accident. A man who was visiting a friend on November 15 at the Views at River Bend complex in Burton found a pistol just sitting on the kitchen counter. Concerned it was unsafe to leave it, he picked it up—but in a twist of unfortunate fate, he ended up firing a round through the wall! The bullet tragically traveled into the next room, striking a computer server but, thankfully, causing no harm to the apartment’s occupants, which even included a little 1-year-old.
A Call to Action
Just a day later, in an evident case of reckless gunplay, police apprehended a man named Unique Stinson Ford after he fired shots from a moving vehicle in downtown Beaufort. This occurred around 10:40 PM on November 16, as he reportedly blasted rounds out of his car window along Port Republic Street. Miraculously, no property was damaged and no injuries reported aside from the chaos it created. Stinson was quickly arrested and later released on a personal recognizance bond.
The Party’s Not OverYet
The following morning, a resident called Beaufort deputies in a frenzy after hearing shots near her car while attending a party on Seaside Road. To her shock, she discovered her Honda Accord had been hit, with a bullet hole marking its passenger window and damage to the bumper and mirror. The scene around her vehicle gave the impression of a violent altercation, leaving everyone puzzled as to what transpired.
More Chaos on Tombee Road
As if that’s not enough, later the same night, more than a handful of sheriff’s deputies rushed to a home on Tombee Road following reports of gunfire. This time, the home had been shot at multiple times, creating a scene with shell casings littering the area. Luckily, the family inside managed to escape unhurt, but the sheer number of bullet casings collected raised serious concerns.
A Heartbreaking Incident
Meanwhile, a tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday night when deputies answered a call from a homeowner on Melody Lane. They discovered a severely injured pitbull, affectionately named Enzo, that had incurred multiple wounds presumed to be from buckshot. The incident had unfolded while Enzo was outside, and his owner couldn’t pinpoint the origin of the shot—a chilling reminder of how gun violence can impact even the most innocent members of the community.
As the investigation continues and authorities dive deeper into these incidents, community members are left hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing gun violence. With more than one shooting reported each day, it’s clear that everyone needs to work together to ensure a safer Beaufort for all.
