Tennessee Family Says New Neighbors Called Police Three Days in a Row Over Target Shooting
A Tennessee family says a dispute with new neighbors has escalated into three consecutive days of police visits involving target shooting, alleged suspicious activity and an accusation of property damage.
According to an online account posted by a member of the family, they have owned their rural property for approximately 40 years and previously experienced few problems with surrounding residents. That reportedly changed after new neighbors moved into the area.
The family said the first police response followed a complaint about gunfire while members of the household were conducting target practice on their own land.
They maintain that shooting has long been a normal activity on the property and that previous neighbors never objected. Some neighbors had even joined them for target practice in the past, the family claimed.
No information was provided about the county in which the property is located, the amount of acreage involved or whether responding officers determined that any firearm laws or local ordinances had been violated.
The following day, according to the family, police returned after the neighbors reported unspecified “suspicious activity.” A third call was made after electrical service on the street was interrupted.
In that instance, the neighbors allegedly accused the head of the household of crossing onto their property and cutting a line connected to the power outage. The family denied the allegation.
The repeated complaints have left family members concerned that ordinary activities outside their home could result in another visit from law enforcement.
“We can’t even be outside without worrying about the police pulling up,” the family member wrote, while asking whether any legal action could be taken to stop what they characterized as harassment.
The account did not identify the responding law-enforcement agency, and no police reports or statements from the neighbors were included. The family’s description of events therefore could not be independently verified.
Target shooting on private property is generally permitted in many rural areas of Tennessee, but the rules can vary by county and municipality. Shooters may also face criminal or civil consequences if bullets leave their property, cross a roadway, endanger neighboring homes or violate applicable noise and public-safety ordinances.
Repeatedly contacting police is not necessarily unlawful, particularly when a caller believes a legitimate threat exists. However, knowingly filing false reports or misusing emergency services can potentially result in criminal charges.
People involved in escalating property disputes are commonly advised to document every incident, preserve security-camera footage and record the dates and stated reasons for police visits. A recent property survey can also help resolve disagreements about boundary lines and utility easements.
The family said it intends to continue living normally on the property while ensuring that any shooting is conducted safely. It is unclear whether authorities are investigating the accusation involving the power line or whether any citations or charges have resulted from the three police responses.
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