Landrum man jailed after gunfire

Published 12:27 pm Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A Landrum man was arrested Saturday and charged with discharging a firearm into a dwelling and with five counts of pointing/presenting a firearm.

Tola William Bruce Jr., 63, of 324 Irish Hills Lane in Landrum, was arrested after a neighbor called 911 with a report of hearing gunshots fired and something hitting the neighbors house just before 11 a.m. Saturday. According to an incident report, a bullet hole and slug were found in the neighbors kitchen cabinet.

Bruce told police his 34-year-old daughter left home in a van with a group of people that he disapproved of, and he fired at the back bumper and rear tire of the van in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

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According to online jail records, Bruce was released from the Spartanburg County Jail Sunday after posting $6,000 bail.

Landrum Police Chief Bruce Shelnut said he does not recall any previous incidents involving Bruce.

We didnt run a criminal history, but I dont recall having any previous dealings with him, Shelnut said.

Shelnut is classifying the incident as a domestic dispute, but was disturbed by the stray bullets finding the neighbors house.

Thats how innocent people get killed, Shelnut said.