Gun violence in Chester has police chief's attention, neighbors on edge

CHESTER, S.C. — A rash of shootings -- including two this past week, one of them fatal -- has put pressure on police in Chester.

The recent violence has prompted the chief of police to speak out about it.

Chief Eric Williams spoke with Channel 9 Friday afternoon about the disturbing trend which has neighbors on edge.

Williams asked for the public's help in solving the recent shootings.

[RELATED: Man dead after driven to hospital with gunshot wound, Chester police say]

He thanked the community for help with information and said law enforcement doesn't always have a good name, but he's working to make sure it does in Chester.

"Those who've stepped up to the plate, I really appreciate it," Williams said. "Here in Chester, one thing I can say, what we're standing for, we're standing for what's right."

This week, 36-year-old Andrew Johnson was shot while he was sitting in a car near York Street. The person he was with drove him to the hospital, where he died.

Then on Wednesday night, 30-year-old Stanley Strong was shot outside his house on Jeter Street, which is also believed to be a drive-by.

Strong survived.

That was the second shooting on Jeter Street since the spring when someone was shot in the hand.

One neighbor told Channel 9 that it's gotten so bad, when she hears gunshots, she knows to just hit the floor and stay there.

Teresa Bland said she lives near where several shootings happened this year.

"I got grandkids coming up, and I don't want them in the crossfire," Bland said. "I think it's awful. It's real sad. I know the family of the young man that got killed, and they're a very nice family."

Police have not only worked with the county sheriff, but have also called in SLED agents to patrol around town just to have more officers visible.

Cox Media Group