Chatham Co. Police investigating after nearly 40 shots fired from party at rental property; Neighbors concerned for their safety

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - September 14th, in Chatham County, gunfire erupted outside an Airbnb, alarming and endangering nearby neighbors.

Neighbors say nearly 40 gunshots in total rang out. Gunfire erupted from a nearby rental property —8611 Whitefield Avenue is listed as both an Airbnb and a VRBO.

Video captured at another home in the area shows just how intense the gunfire was around 2:00 a.m.

See video below:

Those are the sounds that woke up neighbors suddenly. You can see a woman and her pets suddenly woken up by more than 40 rounds being fired at a home nearby.

Chatham County Police responded in those early morning hours. Police reports reveal that a woman rented the home for her high school daughter and her friends.

A party was going on when her daughter and friends told police-- they heard knocking on the front and side doors.

Teenage boys at the party went outside to see who was knocking and told the girls to go back inside. That’s when the shots began.

Police found multiple shell casings in the driveway.

The daughter and her friends said they didn’t know the guys who were inside the home at their party.

That mother told police she heard the gunshots, but wasn’t sure who was responsible for the shots.

The police report reads, “All three female subjects were unable to identify the male subjects that were inside the home with them and was only able to recall that it was group of 6 black males. In addition, the mother was also unfamiliar with the male subjects that were inside of the home at the party, but knew only of the males by “Shawn”. All male subjects were no longer on scene."

Chatham County’s District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones says she’s been considering a curfew for kids under 18.

“We just can’t keep seeing the same things and the same shootings in our community, blaming each other, and then forget about it until the next one happens,” said Cook-Jones. The proliferation of guns in our community, where are these kids getting these guns from?” asked the DA.

WTOC found the listing on VRBO; It’s just under $300 for the night.

We reached out to the woman who rented the VRBO, and she hasn’t responded.

While Chatham County Police say there is a valid short-term rental permit for this home, Police Chief Jeff Hadley reached out to other departments to review their permit.

The owner of 8611 Whitefield does have a valid STR permit for that address. CCPD Chief Jeff Hadley has reached out to other Chatham County departments to coordinate a review of 8611 Whitefield’s STR permit.

Anyone who feels that there is a dangerous situation in their neighborhood should call 9-1-1 so law enforcement can assess and investigate.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot go into great detail about the work of our detectives. However we want to be clear that discharging a firearm in a residential area is a reckless act that could have devastating consequences. The people who committed this crime are potentially facing aggravated assault charges – even though there were no injuries.

Our officers immediately responded to the scene, and collected forensic evidence that is being used by our detectives in the investigation of this crime. Anyone who has knowledge of the suspects and what happened that evening is urged to come forward immediately. Anonymous tips can be sent through the Chatham County Police Department app, or the Department’s online tip form found here: https://police.chathamcountyga.gov/Tips

Chatham County Police

Anonymous tips can be sent through the Chatham County Police Department app or through Crime Stoppers.

“It’s not just that it’s about young shooters and young victims. It’s the danger to the public, like the other people who get caught in the crossfire. And, you know, we need to have comprehensive solutions to this,” said DA Jones.

Airbnb said unauthorized parties are strictly prohibited, and this type of behavior has no place on their platform.

They’ve removed this mother’s account, who booked the place, and are in contact with the neighbors. They also removed the listing during the investigation.

“Unauthorized parties are strictly prohibited on Airbnb, and this type of behavior has no place on our platform. We’ve removed the account of the person who made the booking, and are in contact with the neighbors to support them. We stand ready to assist law enforcement and have suspended the listing as investigations continue.”

Airbnb