Spartanburg Reels from Tropical Storm Aftermath and Unrelated Tragedy
Greetings, Spartanburg. If the cloudy weather wasn’t enough to dampen our spirits, the city has been hit hard with some tragic news in quick succession.
Another Blow to the City
Just when we were beginning to catch our breath after the horrific effects of Tropical Storm Helene, which unfortunately led to six deaths in the area, our tranquility was shattered once again. This time, by the thunderous sound of gunshots. On the evening of September 28th, sheriff’s deputies rushed to 115 Griffin Road in response to reports of multiple shootings.
What they discovered shocked everyone: Three individuals, identified as 38-year-old Paul Higgins and 34-year-old Jeremy Faulkner, both of Woodruff, and 22-year-old Nicolas Long of Greenville, were found shot dead in a nearby wooded area. The Coroner’s Office is treating their sudden demise as homicides by gunshot.
Pointing Fingers: A Hunting Property Dispute
A statement released by Sheriff’s office spokesman, Lt. Kevin Bobo, gives us a clue into the possible cause of this dreadful incident. It seems the shooting stemmed from an argument over who had the right to be on a hunting property. Witnesses were separated and questioned, with some family members of the deceased also providing their accounts.
However, it seems we are going to have to hold our horses before we might get the full story, as Lt. Bobo confirmed that more information will be made available only after discussions with the solicitor’s office. Thankfully, he also assured us that there is no threat to the local community, with all those involved having been identified.
Spartanburg: The City with a Big Heart
Despite the distressing news, the city has stepped up in the face of adversity. After the onslaught of Tropical Storm Helene and the power outages it caused, local schools, restaurants and churches have come together in a heartening display of solidarity.
Free hot meals are being provided as the city recovers from the tropical storm, with Jolly Rogers Woodfired BBQ taking the lead by serving more than 1,000 meals free of charge. Meanwhile, small rays of hope are peeking through the clouds as Duke Energy is working around the clock, eyeing to restore power to most of its customers by midnight Friday. What a way to show that Spartanburg has heart!
Hurricane Helene: The Unwarranted Guest
The unwelcome guest, Tropical Storm Helene, left an undeniably devastating mark on the city. Death tolls have climbed to eight with a recent crash at a malfunctioning intersection claiming the lives of two women. Amid the chaos and outages, grocery stores witnessed a significant surge in demand for essential items such as bottled water and ice.
In times like these, it’s up to us to show our resilience and demonstrate the true strength of the Spartanburg community. Our thoughts are with those affected by these unfortunate incidents, and our appreciation extends to everyone lending a helping hand during these tough times.
Stay Safe Spartanburg
Remember, we’re stronger together, more so in challenging times like these. Stay safe, look out for one another, and let’s bring the sunshine back to Spartanburg.
