A Fourth of July celebration in South Carolina turned violent after residents in a local neighborhood called the police on a group of armed teenagers who were shooting guns into the ground, according to calls from terrified neighbors. The situation escalated when police arrived on the scene and the teenagers physically assaulted a female officer.
Residents living in the North Charleston town were holding get-togethers with family and friends when several shots rang out. Neighbors began contacting local authorities, though police did not arrive in the neighborhood for over 45 minutes after the calls came in. A broadcast by Fox News included audio from some of the calls that were made.
“I called 45 minutes ago asked to have officers come out here to break up a group of kids with firearms and now there’s an all-out war going on outside my front door,” one person told dispatch. “They’re shooting over here. We have fully automatic weapons. Please get someone over here now,” the audio recording said. “I got a group of, like, teenage kids across my street, shooting a gun into the ground,” another person said.
“They’re shooting guns down the street from my house. We’re having a family gathering. They need to shut it down,” someone else said on the audio recording. The dispatcher then asked, “Are you and anyone else in danger right now?” The person responded, “Everyone is in danger.” Video footage captured the disturbing attack on the female officer after police arrived and is going viral on social media.
Police officers revealed that there were several fights that broke out during their encounter with the teenagers. Several other law enforcement officials were assaulted during the incident. Officers made six arrests and confiscated a bunch of weapons, including several guns, a couple of them automatic, and a make-shift spear. The spear was made by tying a knife to a long stick.
Following the arrests, the chief of police told the media that law enforcement officers are doing everything in their power to stop youth violence, but noted that kids are not complying with them and said they need help in dealing with this growing phenomenon. According to a report from Spectrum, four juveniles were taken into police custody.
Those four young people are facing charges of third-degree assault by mob, assault on police while resisting arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a machine gun, and breach of peace. The North Charleston Police Department said that two adults were also arrested. Sa’Mya Adriana Collette Weaver, 18, was charged with breach of peace and assault on police while resisting arrest.
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Giovanni Mekhi Sincere Campbell, 19, is being charged with possession of a machine gun. The NCPD put out a statement addressing the situation, saying, “The safety of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority. We appreciate the cooperation of the many attendees who complied with officers’ instructions.” The statement then offered a thank you to community members who aided the officers during the attack.
“We especially thank those from the community who helped officers during the attacks, and the different law enforcement agencies who responded to assist which included the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Charleston Police Department, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, and the SC Highway Patrol,” the statement read.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video