Gunfire from Vacation Rental Incident Strikes Nearby Homes

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. () — Neighbors who live on Whitefield Avenue said the area is peaceful, especially at night, but now, people who live there permanently are worried for their lives following gunfire.

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 is a really kind of safe and quiet neighborhood most of the time. Ever since Airbnb has moved in next door, it has really turned the neighborhood upside down,” Woodcock said.

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 said he’s been in touch with the rental owner, and other residents in nearby neighbors told him they’re having similar issues with this same host’s short term rentals. He said they were able to get the house off Airbnb, but the home is still listed on VRBO.

“Every night that the house is unoccupied, I breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.

The Chatham County Police Department is investigating this incident. Until someone is held accountable, residents are installing cameras at their homes to make sure they have all eyes on the house.