Signs of Violence Greet New Residents

July 2, 1996 - 3:26 p.m. EDT

Violence came knocking on the door of a Cumberland County family's new home. When the Herrera family moved into their rented house just outside Fayetteville Sunday, they were shocked to find bullet holes in some doors and windows.

Ray Hererra's new neighbors told him the shots had been fired just hours before he moved in. They say the previous tenants were "crack-heads", and that the shooting was probably drug-related.

Herrera decided to put up a sign in front of the house announcing that the old tenants were gone.

Family member Chris Herrera says the family has found itself in a unfamiliar and scary situation, very different from their life in Maine.

The sign, which is attached to a tree in the front yard, says "New tenant with children. Please stop shooting the house." Chris Hererra says the family hopes the sign will get the Herrera's message across to those responsible for the shooting.

Neighbors say they are equally upset and are organizing a community watch to keep an eye on the Herrera's house.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting, but has made no arrests