When I first came to Gaffney, North Carolina to cover a serial killer on the loose, my first thought was,”what if he shoots me?” It’s the sort of fear we can all relate to. For a week now, folks here have kept doors locked, and their eyes open. Many are tormented by thoughts that they could be next. With good reason.

Five of their own were shot and killed over a period of days. Three were at the one place many of us feel most comfortable and safe … home. It started last Saturday near this small town of about 12, 000, where neighbors know neighbors. A 63 year old peach farmer was gunned down after his wife had answered the door to a stranger inquiring about hay. She left the house and returned to find her beloved husband of many years dead. The victim advocate for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office said,”The worst part is, she can’t even go back home, where all her memories are.” Lives changed forever.

On Wednesday, terror struck the town again. 83 year old Hazel Linder was visiting with her 50 year old daughter Gena Linder Parks before they were both found bound and shot to death. I imagine what that must have been like. Knowing you’re about to die, and being powerless to stop it. My words may seem shocking, but so was seeing the picture of the killer’s latest victim. A beautiful 15 year old named Abby Tyler ruthlessly gunned down. She and her dad were closing up shop at the family’s furniture store on Thursday afternoon before the July fourth holiday. I wonder, did they see him coming? Did he look scary to them, or like any other customer who didn’t know it was closing time. Stephen Tyler died at the store, and his little girl clung to life for two days before she passed.

Now comes word that a suspect has been killed in Gastonia, South Carolina during a shootout with police. His vehicle fits the description of the one driven by the killer. South Carolina state investigators are at the scene determining if there’s a connection to the Gaffney killer. An eerie sketch of him is tacked to almost every pole, street lamp, and drive-thru window in town. Everyone is wondering,”Is it him?” and hoping and praying it is … so the town can breathe a collective sigh of relief together.