Residents buying guns, ammo in wake of murders

Cherokee Outfitters owner Frank Sossamon lets a customer take a look at a handgun. Everything seemed to be normal for Cherokee Outfitters owner Frank Sossamon on Thursday morning, exchanging pleasantries with customers who frequently visit the store to stock up on outdoor supplies and clothing.

Among the areas Sossamon believed to be sticking to the status quo was the sale of guns and ammunition.

"We haven't seen an influx of sales or anything, so I'd say everything has remained normal," Sossamon said.

Later that day, Sossamon would sing a different tune as customers trickled into Cherokee Outfitters looking for firearms that could protect them and their family.

"Business seriously has been slow; I wasn't at all expecting business to pick up this quick," Sossamon said.

However, the reason for the pickup of sales on guns and ammunition is no laughing matter.

Local residents aren't taking any chances after three people were shot dead in their homes within the past few days.

Kline Cash, the 63- year old owner of Cash Farms, was found by his wife on the floor of their Battleground Road home shot to death Saturday. On Wednesday, 83-yearold Hazel Keaton Linder and her daughter, Gena Parker of Anderson, were found dead at Linder's home on Buck Shoals Road.

Authorities believe the two incidents are related.

Local law enforcement officials have searched the area in the days following the murders hoping to find leads that will result in the arrest of the killer, who is described as a white male with salt and pepper hair. He is believed to be approximately 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs an estimated 250 pounds.

Many people are loading up and ready to open fire should that scenario present itself.

"It's my duty to keep my family safe," said local resident Nicholas Richardson. "It seems that by the time people realized this man was armed, he (the suspect) was already in the house. I'm making sure he doesn't make it that far."

In the days since Cash's murder, a lot of people have asked about guns, ammunition and pepper spray.

"We've had a lot of inquiries, so it's likely we'll end up selling some guns," said Hilda Davis of Gaffney Pawn Shop. "It definitely seems these murders have made an impact, so we'll see how things pan out in the coming days."

Text messages and phone calls have been the primary means for Cherokee County residents to stay posted about how the investigation is coming along. Such information also helps boost the level of fear locally, making an impact on sales.

"Guns are good if used the right way, which is basically for protection," said Cherokee County resident Art Morris.

"It's horrible someone would do anything like that, and the text messages are a good way to stay up on what is going on. But we have to stay ready just in case he were to show up at our front door."