New 911 audio captures neighbors warning of 'full-out war' before police were attacked in block party chaos
Newly released 911 calls capture North Charleston, South Carolina, residents expressing fear as they reported armed teens, gunfire and what one caller described as a "full-out war" before police were assaulted during a Fourth of July block party.
Fox News Digital obtained recordings of the calls from Charleston County Dispatch, which reveal multiple residents calling dispatchers shortly before 8:30 p.m. as a city-permitted Fourth of July block party in North Charleston's Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood began spiraling out of control.
Callers reported people openly carrying guns, hearing repeated gunfire and fearing for their safety as officers struggled to disperse hundreds of attendees before multiple officers were assaulted, and six people were later charged.
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One of the earliest callers warned dispatchers that armed people had gathered near Calvert Street and North Carolina Avenue, telling a 911 operator, "Everybody got guns," before pleading, "We need the police out here bad. They need to come out here."
The caller also reported hearing gunfire and described seeing a blue Dodge Charger parked near a bus stop with armed people gathered around it.
As officers responded, another resident described the situation rapidly deteriorating after having already contacted authorities.
"I called 45 minutes ago and asked to have officers come out here to break up a group of kids with firearms, and now there's like a full-out war going on outside my f---ing front door," the caller told a dispatcher.
Dispatch logs show officers soon reported more than 500 people at the gathering while requesting every available unit to help disperse the crowd.
The same caller later reported seeing what appeared to be muzzle flashes.
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"I just watched about six of them that have f---ing muzzle flash," the caller said. "It looked like they were f---ing shooting at each other and running in opposite directions."
Another resident in the area told dispatchers that one person in the crowd shouted, "Get the strap," before the caller heard gunfire moments later.
"I came inside and about 10 seconds later I heard three gunshots," the caller said. "I need officers over here please."
Another homeowner reported watching teenagers fire a handgun into the ground from across the street.
"I got a group of like teenage kids across my street... shooting a gun into the... ground," the caller said, adding the individual tucked the weapon back into his waistband.
The recordings also capture the growing fear among residents as gunfire continued.
One caller told dispatchers they had armed themselves while waiting for officers to arrive.
"I have my gun in my hand. If they come on my property, I will kill somebody," the caller said, noting that he heard 20 to 30 shots. "I have on camera several individuals. We've been calling all night about this. We need people posted out here."
As the response intensified, officers were instructed not to respond alone and to pair up while working the crowd.
Police previously said officers responded around 8:30 p.m. after receiving reports of people firing fireworks toward passing vehicles before learning attendees had begun discharging firearms.
Officers repeatedly ordered the crowd to disperse, but multiple fights broke out, and additional gunfire was reported, prompting officers to leave their patrol vehicles to restore order.
Authorities said multiple officers were assaulted during the response, including two female officers who suffered minor injuries. Viral video from the scene shows one officer being pulled to the ground while attempting to detain a woman before several people began striking her.
Investigators recovered multiple firearms, including what police described as a machine gun, along with a makeshift spear. Six people — including four juveniles — have since been charged in connection with the incident, though police said the investigation remains active and additional arrests are possible.