How was it last night? wtvr says that the police were going to try to keep it quiet:
“We’ll get calls of random gunfire and the officers will respond to it and the response will be a whole lot quicker since they’re in the area already,” Richmond police Lieutenant Marty Harrison. Harrison heads up first precinct’s Focus Mission team. Officers cover the city’s East End, Churchhill and parts of the Southside.
“Everybody seems to think its okay to fire off the guns on New Year’s eve or 4th of July. I don’t think that people take into consideration that…that bullet has to come down.” So, Richmond police will give it their best shot to keep that from happening. By beefing up manpower in areas like Mosby and Fairfield courts.
My recording of the last moments of 2007 from 23rd and Fairmount: [listen]
21 comments
My neighbor and I decided to fire a few rounds to ring in the New Year. Hell, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
there were crazy amounts of guns going off last night. i guess their efforts were for nothing.
All I heard was fireworks. Houdon, sorry to say, but if you and your neighbor really did shoot off your “guns”, you’re both idiots.
“Everybody seems to think its okay to fire off the guns on New Year’s eve or 4th of July. I don’t think that people take into consideration that…that bullet has to come down.”
Have a neighbor who got a leak in his roof shortly after a particularly “shooty” new year. He went up on the roof, found a bullet, and convinced his insurance company to cover it as the bullet had caused the hole when it came down. Bullets don’t just float back down to earth, they can come down with considerable velocity.
John M., I rather like that new work “shooty,” thanks for inventing it!
It seemed quiet over by M and 23rd. However, what went down at 7 or 730ish last night at S and 27th? There were lots of cops and quite a crowd from what I heard.
@1 I hope you are soon arrested along with your irresponsible friend.
Been in Fulton 10 years and this was the shootiest year of all. I was asleep before midnight but was awakened by gunfire both very close to home and off in the distance. Lasted a good 20 minutes….and yes, what goes up does come down, EEK!
I remember mythbusters doing this one. Apparently, if a bullet is fired EXACTLY vertically (which is difficult for a human to do) it will not kill . However, the wider the angel , the more lethal.
Here’s an article about 2 people killed on NYE from celebratory fire http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22465197/
That being said…how could this be stopped I wonder?
We had a gun pulled on us, then rounds shot off right on Broad St. Police came and said its happening all over, but that ours was the first reported of being shot at rather than just shooting up.
Also, there was 1 report of a bullet coming back down in a man’s living room last night.
I second what Kimmy said. I am in South Side and this was our shootiest year yet out of nine years here. 2007 would probably rank second. It kept going until well past 12:30 and we definitely heard all calibers represented. With the cost of ammo these days, that’s gotta be expensive!
Totally dangerous and idiotic. Glad my Fulton tenants were out of town, because to normal people this is duly terrifying.
So funny how everyone acts surprised when damage to life or property actually occurs. Seems totally amazing that it doesn’t happen more.
The shooting was so bad this year my dog escaped from our fenced back yard and is now lost!! If anyone sees a stray large short haired chocolate brown dog with a short docked tail (Weimaraner), please email me at sunflower4@gmail.com . We want our baby back!!
This time they started 2 minutes before midnight and a few shots were still heard after 2 but it was very calm.
I wonder if there is a correlation between the economy and the gunfire? As in holidays are when people tend to let off the steam and stress of their daily lives, and with so many unemployed and impoverished, seems like there would be a lot of steam waiting to be released.
There was a lot of shooting in Northside. Even last night. Was called in but no sign of the police any where.
I’ve been in southside for 10 years and this was the shootiest New Year ever. Guess ammo is cheaper than fireworks? (Plus you can buy it at Walmart.)
All those bullets go up in the air and come down. There are many roofs with bullet holes. Only good is the business for roofers.
I’m at Cedar and 25th and heard a LOT of it the shooting. There is a pretty distinct difference in fireworks and shooting, IMO
The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club now has holes in it’s gym roof, so, thank you, shooters, for allowing your fun to impact a lot of youth.
@Shannon H, I agree, it is surprising there isn’t more damage to life and property (that we know of.) Is it going to take something serious before people stop?
This is one night when the “people” take over the streets and there’s not much the police can do. Kinda scary unless your Mo Karn.
Met with my roofer today and mentioned this post. He said he has made a small fortune off of bullet holes and has a jar full of them from repairs he has done over the years.
RE #19: Paul – I really like you, but I feel like I just have to say that the people take over the streets every night, except maybe national night out.
Public menace stuff – no good reasons. Just totally asinine. And yeah – really scary if you actually stop to think about it.
Bummer about the Boys and Girls Club, PTG. That totally sucks for those kids. Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could just yell COME ON!!!!! and it would all get better?
Ah well. Lame.