LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – In just a few days we will be ringing in a new year, but Little Rock police say there is one celebration you need to check off your list this year — celebratory gunfire.
Three years ago, Gwen Combs and her husband were sleeping when they were awoken with gunfire.
“We heard a really loud bang, and it ended up being that our house was shot,” Combs said, “It hit our house 10 feet from the window that is above our bed where we were sleeping.”
Little Rock residents report gunfire during New Year’s Eve celebrations
It wasn’t just a scary situation for Combs and her husband, but their dog as well.
“He was really upset by the extreme, loud noise. And by the continuation of all the fireworks and all the gunshots,” Combs said.
The bullet hole — a reminder of how celebrations can turn life-threatening.
“The chances of being hit by celebratory gunfire may be low, but the chances of it being really, really bad when it happens are high,” Combs said.
Celebratory New Years Eve gunfire prohibited in Arkansas
This year, Combs really just wants a peaceful New Years Eve.
“I mean obviously what goes up, comes down. And I think there’s a misconception that it goes up and just keeps going up,” Combs said, “But it comes down, and it comes down with such velocity that it can pierce a human skull.”
As a reminder, celebratory gunfire is illegal in Little Rock city limits. If caught, someone could face jail time and some pretty hefty fines.