Newly released 911 calls reveal the fear experienced by residents in North Charleston, South Carolina, just before police were attacked during a Fourth of July block party. The calls report armed teenagers, gunfire, and one resident referring to the chaos as an “all-out war.”
According to recordings obtained from Charleston County Dispatch, numerous residents began calling around 8:30 p.m., as a city-approved Fourth of July celebration in the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood started to spiral out of control.
Callers mentioned individuals openly carrying firearms, and they expressed concerns for their safety while officers attempted to manage a crowd of hundreds. Things escalated quickly, leading to several officers being assaulted, with six individuals ultimately charged.
One caller described a scene near Calvert Street and North Carolina Avenue, frantically telling the dispatcher, “Everybody’s got a gun,” and urging, “We need the police out of here.”
He reported hearing gunshots and noted a blue Dodge Charger parked nearby, surrounded by armed individuals. As law enforcement arrived, another local stated that the situation deteriorated further even after they had already contacted the authorities.
Another frantic caller recalled that after calling about a group of armed youths, he felt like chaos erupted right outside his front door. He mentioned, “I just saw about half a dozen of them emitting muzzle flashes,” indicating people were shooting at one another.
Reports confirmed that over 500 individuals were at the gathering, prompting police to call for backup. One caller, who had already expressed concern, mentioned seeing what looked like a muzzle flash as the violence grew.
Another resident recounted seeing teens firing a handgun, adding a chilling detail that a person had the weapon hidden in their waistband. The recordings signal a palpable sense of fear among residents who were on edge due to the escalating gunfire.
In a dramatic move, one caller expressed desperation, stating, “I have a gun in my hand. If they come onto my property, I’m going to kill someone.” He reported hearing multiple gunshots, making it clear that the night’s events were spiraling dangerously out of control.
Meanwhile, the police were instructed to coordinate their response strategically, rather than going solo, as they faced an increasingly hostile crowd. Initially, they responded to reports of fireworks being directed at cars but soon learned that firearms were being fired by protesters.
Order could not be restored easily, as prompting for the crowd to disperse sparked multiple fights and more shots. This chaotic environment led officers to leave their vehicles and engage directly with the situation.
Reports indicate that multiple officers sustained injuries, including two female officers with minor wounds. Footage shared online illustrates the chaos, showing an officer being pulled to the ground while attempting to detain a woman, leading to further violence.
Investigators managed to recover several firearms, including what was described as a machine gun, and even a makeshift spear. Already, six people, among them four minors, have been charged in connection with the incident. Authorities remain on alert, suggesting that additional arrests could follow as the investigation continues.
