SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Police are still trying to figure out who fired a dozen shots from a South Burlington balcony last night. This happened at the same apartment complex where someone was killed in a drug related shooting in April. So far, there are no reports of any injuries. Out of the 12 rounds fired, only three bullets have been recovered. Though it's still unknown who fired the shots, police have charged a woman with possession of drugs. She was in court this morning.
Witness and neighbor, Donald Riley said, "They were just about in a row... bang bang bang bang."
South Burlington police say twelve gun shots were fired from this first floor balcony. They haven't identified the shooter yet, but they believe a woman living in the apartment, 22 year old Shakyra Martin Hines knows more than what she's telling them.
"We believe that maybe she knew the players," Lieutenant Jim Goslin said.
Police think this is true, because just after the shots were fired, neighbors say they saw Martin Hines running from the complex.
"I'm sure I saw the gun and she sort of hid it a little bit," Riley said.
Martin Hines told police three men she knew, showed up to her apartment carrying guns.
"We do have some information on who the shooter is and who the people in the car are, and we're making an effort to locate those people as well," Lieutenant Goslin said.
Fish and Wildlife officials spent Friday reenacting what they think happened, they focused on an area where a bullet struck a tree.
"They have technology to kind of project where rounds may have gone," Goslin said.
Several people called 911. When police arrived and searched the apartment to be sure no one was injured, they say marijuana and crack cocaine were in plain sight.
Shakyra Martin Hines was arraigned in court this morning for being in possession of crack cocaine with the intent to sell, if she is convicted of this crime, she could be facing up to five years in prison.
Donald Riley wasn't surprised to hear this case is drug-related, he says the neighborhood has changed a lot recently.
"There's so many people going in and out of these places," Riley said.
Police say this does raise concern, because families and elderly live in that complex and there's a daycare center just around the corner.
The manager of the apartment complex says there have been domestic violence issues with Martin Hines in the past.
