The Oak Ridge Police Department evacuated residents from the Oak Ridge Marina pavilion after gunshots were reported from across the lake on Friday evening, but officers said no injuries or damages were reported or found. (Photo by Michael Marrison)
Note: This story was last updated at 5 p.m. Sept. 5.
The Oak Ridge Police Department evacuated residents from the Oak Ridge Marina pavilion after gunshots were reported from across the lake on Friday evening, but officers said no injuries or damages were reported or found.
The ORPD received a report from people at the Melton Lake Pavilion at about 7:03 p.m. Friday, September 2, that shots were being fired in their direction from across the lake, a press release said.
“Complainants reported that bullets could be heard passing over the pavilion area,” the ORPD press release said.
ORPD officers responded to the pavilion immediately and safely evacuated the residents using a hand-carried ballistic shield, the press release said.
Soon after, members of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department located and interviewed three people target practicing with firearms on Tennessee Valley Authority land across the lake from the pavilion, the press release said. The shooting stopped as soon as ACSD officers made contact with the group.
After ACSD notified ORPD that the group had been contacted and the situation had been resolved, citizens were allowed to return to the pavilion, the press release said.
“A suspected bullet hole was located in the pavilion roof; however, upon closer inspection, the damage did not appear to be fresh,” the ORPD press release said. “No injuries or damages were reported or found. As the weapons were fired outside the Oak Ridge city limits, no charges were filed by ORPD.”
It’s not clear if authorities were able to confirm whether any bullets crossed the river, as had been reported to them. Oak Ridge Today has requested more information, and we will update this story as we can.
The precise location of the shooters wasn’t clear. It also wasn’t clear what direction they were shooting or whether they had a backstop or barrier behind their target.
The shots fired call occurred as the Oak Ridge Police Department was investigating a serious car-trailer crash on Emory Valley Road and trying to help rescue the female driver trapped inside the car.
The Oak Ridge Police Department evacuated residents from the Oak Ridge Marina pavilion after gunshots were reported from across the lake on Friday evening, but officers said no injuries or damages were reported or found. (Photo by Michael Marrison)
The Oak Ridge Police Department evacuated residents from the Oak Ridge Marina pavilion after gunshots were reported from across the lake on Friday evening, but officers said no injuries or damages were reported or found. (Photo by Michael Marrison)
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Philip W Nipper says
Not sure why no one was charged. Whats to stop this from happening again I wonder? Is this an authorized location for target practice? Bodily injury or loss of life could have resulted not to mention property damage. Should we be concerned about visiting Melton Hill Park in the future due to people discharging firearms on the other side?
johnhuotari says
Philip,
I have made follow-up inquiries, but I’m not aware of any evidence yet that has been cited by law enforcement that would confirm that any bullets crossed the river. I’ll see if I can get a location and direction of fire for the people target practicing, and whether there was a backstop or barrier behind the target.
I had the same question about target practicing on TVA land, and I’ll see if I can get an answer to that.
I would think this is an isolated incident. I’ve been a reporter here for a dozen years, and I’ve never heard of a similar incident.
I hope that helps. Thank you.
John
Philip W Nipper says
Thanks John. Yes, I have lived here for some time and have not heard of an incident like this but there is always a first time for anything. Would be interested in knowing TVA’s response to your query.
ridgepablo says
We live on Amanda Drive near the Marina pavilion and have heard a lot of gunfire from across the river in recent weeks. At the minimum it is a noise nuisance, and at the worst it is a safety risk to people who want to use TVA land either on this or the other side of the river. I’d like TVA to look into it, and prefer it to stop. Thanks
Drew Muringer says
I was across the lake in a field goose hunting when I had bullets fired at my with bullets zipping by my head. I am the one who caked the cops and was told they were target practicing. I call bull crap since I ran 200 yards and the bullets were still following me.