Neighbors have become concerned about a growing number of random gunshots fired in their Murfreesboro neighborhood.
The people living in the quiet neighborhood in downtown Murfreesboro off of Reid Avenue have found themselves running for cover nearly every week during seemingly random shootings that just keep happening.
"It worries me when I'm out in the yard. I'm out here cutting the grass and next thing you know pow, pow, pow," said Jerry Gooch.
He lives in the normally quiet neighborhood. In recent weeks he said he has seen an escalation of violence and random drive-by shootings.
No one's been hit yet, but Gooch said "Somebody is going to get killed."
"Sometimes it's for intimidation or sometimes just to drive and be stupid," said Sgt. Kyle Evans. He said police have evidence in the case recovering shell casings.
"Each shell casing has a unique hammer mark and match to an individual gun," said Evans.
Already, Evans said the investigation has led to the arrest of 19-year-old Brian Turner over the weekend. Turner confessed to firing shots not far from Gooch's neighborhood.
"Right now he's charged with reckless endangerment with a weapon," said Evans. Detectives were looking to see if they can link Turner to other shootings. They believed others are involved.
For Gooch, it has happened too many times. "Three or four times a week I guess," said Gooch who added he's glad to hear the PD has cracked down in the area.
He wanted them to handle it, but if he said if he is forced to defend himself, he will. "I got my gun and tell them if one round hits my house I'm coming out shooting," said Gooch.
Ivestigators at the Murfreesboro Police Department have made catching those responsible a priority. In fact, they've now reassigned the DARE and SRO officers who were out of schools for the summer to work patrol neighborhoods.
Police said it was difficult to close these cases because people rarely see the shootings when they happen after dark.
Yet, anyone with information on those responsible were asked to contact the Murfreesboro Police Department.
