IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (KGTV) - Some residents in Imperial Beach are demanding answers after they say San Diego County sheriff's deputies didn't respond to reports of gunfire until almost an hour after they called 911.
"The first shot was like, 'bang,' a pause and then it was 'boom boom boom boom,'" said resident Jenna Brians.
Gunshots rattled off outside her home near Delaware Street and Donax Avenue around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday.
"Being a new mom, I would be terrified if a bullet came through our window," said Brians. "That's why I got on the ground. I mean, I have to protect myself."
Her husband immediately called 911, and a short time later, they walked outside and found nine shell casings scattered on the asphalt. She then realized deputies still weren't there.
"What's going on in our neighborhood? How are you protecting us? Especially if it takes you 50 minutes to show up," Brians said.
The bullets landed just feet away from yards with animals and homes with children.
"The lady across the street, her kids woke up and were terrified. They couldn't go back to sleep. They were shaking," said Brians.
Their sense of fear grew stronger as they waited for deputies to arrive.
"Every car that drove by, I didn't know, 'Oh my God, is this the person? Are they coming back?'" said Brians. "It's just scary. We don't know what's really happening."
With a baby on the way, she doesn't feel safe.
"Who's really watching us? What's really going on? Why aren't we being notified and why aren't we being protected?" said Brians. "I think it's a big deal."
10News reached out to the San Diego County Sheriff's department, which said deputies responded to the initial call. Public Information Officer Ryan Keim told 10News deputies collected shell casings from the street but did not see any property damage. The sheriff's departments wants anyone with information to call 858-565-5200.
