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‘Random gunfire’ startles, concerns Brandermill neighbors

Posted at 7:21 PM, Sep 18, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-19 06:57:30-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Neighbors who live in Shadow Ridge Place, which is on the opposite side of the neighborhood from where Brendon Mackey was shot, said they were startled to hear random gunfire early in the morning.

Even more startling was the discovery of what appears to be bullet holes in the entrance sign to the neighborhood.

It was a discovery that disturbed Connie Winkler and her neighbor Conway Dooley enough that they called police to investigate.

Neighbors are convinced the holes are bullet holes. Police said this likely did not happen this week. Dooley recalled hearing shots fired about a week or so ago and wonders if that’s how the holes got there.

Neighbors said they instantly turned their thoughts to the tragic death of Brendon Mackey.

“One of the things that shocked me is that it was a pretty big caliber, so I kind of had that in the back of my mind, but it looks more like somebody was riding through and shot the sign,"  Dooley explained.

CBS 6 News asked police if this shooting is related to the Brendon Mackey case. They tell us they don’t believe so. Like the stray bullet shot in the air that hit and killed Mackey on the Fourth of July, neighbors said it’s senseless that anyone would randomly shoot a gun in their neighborhood.

Though it’s unclear when the shot was discharged, parents said they’re just glad the bullet didn't hit the sign when the school bus was dropping off or picking up kids at the stop across the street.

They’re also glad it didn't hit a nearby child’s play set behind a home along Shadow Ridge Road.

“I just hope they catch him. It would be nice," Winkler said.

“People need to get a handle on this before it gets worse," Dooley said.