Homes on Rice Road hit with bullets inside and out

At least three homes were riddled with bullets after a shooting Wednesday night on Rice Road.

Neighbors told ABC 17 News they feel lucky to be alive, because some were sitting outside when the bullets started flying. Others were inside, but even they weren’t safe because some of the bullets crashed into a home, too.

Witnesses said the shots came so quickly and so frequently, they thought it was fireworks at first.

One Rice Road resident was inside her kitchen when the gunfire started.

“Have you ever had a handful of firecrackers and lit them all at once? That’s what it sounded like — constant. Until you hear them ricochet off the house, and then you realize somebody’s shooting at you,” she said. “So I proceeded to get down on the floor.”

She didn’t want to be identified for safety reasons, now worried after being caught in the crossfire.

“I don’t think they were targeting any of us, I think it was just two cars shooting at each other back and forth,” she said.

She said she believes it could be gang related, and possibly tied to some of the other shootings that have happened this summer.

Now, she has bullet holes outside of her home, and bullets inside.

“One is in the water heater and the other came and lodged in the closet door,” she said.

That closet door is only feet from where a baby normally sleeps.

“He could have been there but he wasn’t,” she said.

She told ABC 17 News she’s shocked, but thankful, no one was hurt. Especially because she said it took police almost 20 minutes to arrive after she called 911.

“The Columbia Police Department can do more. I know you’re understaffed, but we’re out here dying. We’re out here getting shot!” she said.

The shooters are still on the loose and police do not have a suspect description. Neighbors said they saw a white car during the shooting. There was a car stopped last night that was suspected to be involved in the shooting but the driver ran off, and even after being chased by police, got away.

Neighbors said police found 38 shell casings, but police have not confirmed that number.