Cherokee Residents Aware Of Dangers On Fourth Of July

While most people are able to enjoy the fourth of July, a paralyzing fear has gripped the Cherokee County community.

While some people are able to enjoy family outings, go to the lake or beach, shoot off fireworks or just go out to eat on this national holiday, yet many in Cherokee County are taking extra precautions because this year the fourth of July has an eerie feeling with it. Bare streets and yards lined the streets of downtown Gaffney as people were staying inside their residences, mostly due to the recent five murders that has shocked the normally tight knit community, while others were enjoying the holiday as they normally would.

“I’m not going out alone or playing outside with the children alone,“ said Gaffney resident, Kate McKinney. ‘I’m being more watchful and keeping our lights on at night.“

While McKinney is being protective and taking the precautions, another Gaffney resident, Ronnie Sellars, said that he was not going to let the killing spree dictate how he leads his life.

“I’ve got my protection inside,“ he said, referring to his gun. “I’m not going to let something like this change my attitude or what I do.“

Another Gaffney resident, Larry Mabry, is no different.

“Most of the people I talk to aren’t going to let this dominate their lives,“ Mabry said.

Talking with neighbors, a downtown Gaffney park is usually packed on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, much less the fourth of July. Yet, nobody was there. It was a way of life for a community that has been gripped by fear.