Neighbors at The Pines at Carolina Place Apartments woke up to flashing lights and crime-scene tape early Wednesday after an overnight incident left one person in the hospital and a lot of residents on edge.
Police blocked off part of the complex's parking lot, strung up crime-scene tape and scattered evidence markers across the street. Witnesses told reporters they heard what sounded like gunfire shortly after 2 a.m. First responders later took one person to a hospital, and officials said that person is expected to be OK.
Police Say Shots-Fired Call Turned Into Assault Investigation
Pineville officers first responded to a shots-fired call at the apartment complex, but the situation shifted into an assault investigation. Police said no one at the scene was actually hit by gunfire.
According to WSOC, officers shut down part of the parking lot along Windy Pines Way while detectives photographed the street and placed evidence markers. Reporters at the scene also spotted a vehicle with visible damage to the driver's-side door.
Neighbors Recall Overnight Chaos And A Scramble For Help
Residents said the sudden noise and police response jolted the complex awake. A witness told reporters she heard gunshots around 2 a.m.
A resident or bystander went to a nearby gas station to get help before MEDIC crews arrived and transported the injured person to the hospital, as reported by Yahoo News. Police have not announced any arrests or released suspect descriptions.
Incident Lands In Area Already On Edge Over Crime
While investigators sort out exactly what happened, the disturbance adds to unease in a part of Pineville that has already been under scrutiny for crime concerns.
WSOC reported last fall that Pineville police were increasing overnight patrols after a rise in car break-ins around Carolina Place. The department said it had been meeting with apartment managers and local businesses to address the trend. Residents told news crews that nights in the neighborhood have felt more tense in recent months.
What Comes Next
Channel 9 has asked Pineville police what led up to the violence and whether anyone has been taken into custody, and officials have not yet released additional details, according to Yahoo News.
Investigators are expected to keep processing the scene, and the department has urged anyone with information to contact the Pineville Police Department.
