During state holidays and with the approach of the New Year, the use of pyrotechnics is becoming increasingly popular, which can raise safety concerns at various levels. One resident of the Shkirotava area was recently surprised by what he believes were sounds of automatic gunfire nearby — shortly after that, sirens from emergency services could be heard, reports the Degpunktā program (TV3). How should one react to such explosive sounds and where to seek answers about what really happened?
A resident of Shkirotava, Gints, was getting ready for work around 7:00 AM and opened the window to air out the apartment a bit. He was continuing his morning routine when suddenly he heard something that made him freeze — someone was firing an automatic weapon.
"I hear a burst of gunfire. Not single shots, but a burst. I have been to Adazi, where the training ground is located — there is also that dull sound of bursts. (…) In 1996, I studied at the Police Academy, and we fired guns. That sound is recognizable; you can't mistake it for anything else. Of course, I tensed up because I am in a residential area, at home, and there are no military facilities here. I started to think about what those sounds were and why they appeared here," Gints said.
For a moment, what he heard made him worry about national security, but the anxiety caused by the tense geopolitical situation quickly passed. Then he began to wonder if it was an armed robbery or a showdown between criminal groups.
"For about half an hour, there were quite a few sirens from emergency vehicles. This was confirmed by the janitor from the neighboring building," he noted.
The man himself did not call the police, and neither the State Police nor the Riga Municipal Police received calls or reports that gunshots were heard in Shkirotava or any neighboring area. Several other residents of the building, whom the Degpunktā program spoke to, also did not notice anything suspicious.
One of the residents suggested another version of what was happening: he mentioned that there is a man in the area who is passionate about pyrotechnics and connects the sounds of that morning with his activities.
Nevertheless, Gints is sure of what he heard that morning, even if he cannot pinpoint the source of the sound. He emphasizes that despite the uncertainty and anxiety, everyone has the right to feel safe in their neighborhood:
"That moment of confusion when something like this happens — it’s a very vivid situation. In any case, as a resident, you want transparency and to feel safe at home."
Whatever it was, if you hear sounds resembling gunfire in your area, you should call the police at 112. It is better for a patrol to check the situation than to respond later to a crime that could have been prevented with a timely call.
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