CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. () — Residents of Whitefield Avenue describe their area as tranquil, especially in the evening, but that peace has been disrupted by recent gunfire, causing concern among long-term inhabitants.
At least 20 gunshots rang out in the area just under two weeks ago. Bullets barely missed a woman and her dogs asleep inside a home.
Another neighbor reported a bullet that hit their upstairs wall. Books on a bookshelf stopped the bullet from hitting a woman sleeping.
Michael Woodcock and his neighbors said it happened outside a short-term vacation rental, which they described as a party house.
“This neighborhood is usually very safe and quiet. Things have changed dramatically since an Airbnb was set up next door,” explained Woodcock.
Woodcock was awake around 2 a.m. on September 14. He said several people were firing shots at each other in front of the short-term vacation rental.
“I heard one shot, and I was counting down. I got to seven, and they just kept going. I lost count after that,” Woodcock said.
Woodcock mentioned that he has contacted the rental property owner, and heard from other locals dealing with similar issues at the same host’s short-term rentals. While they succeeded in having the house removed from Airbnb, it continues to be available on VRBO.
“Every night that the house is unoccupied, I breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.
The Chatham County Police Department is currently looking into the situation. In the meantime, residents are putting up security cameras at their homes to monitor the house closely until someone is held responsible.
