The Charleston County Sheriff's Office says the shooter, 38-year-old Michael Oswald used an AK-47 assault rifle in the incident, and died after being shot from deputies' return fire.



"I'm hearing gunshots or fireworks, I have no idea what the hell it is," said one resident at the apartment complex to an emergency dispatch official."All I know is it's popping outside and it's really scaring me."



When the dispatch official asks the tenant how many shots she heard, she says,"I mean oh my god it's like at least 10 or more, I just heard a bunch. I'm not positive if they were gunshots or not, I just heard people screaming."



Another resident told 911 officials that he heard gunshots and was in the process of getting down for cover.



"We're hearing gunshots out in the apartment complex," a man can be heard telling 911 operators."We're trying to duck right now."



A few residents who were closer to the shooting told authorities that they saw "flashes" during the incident, and had bullets impact their apartments.



"I saw some flashes outside my window, but I got away from the window because I was worried," said one tenant.



Another nearby tenant reportedly heard bullets from the incident strike her door.



"I think somebody shot some bullets at my door," said the tenant.



Law enforcement units had evacuated portions of the apartment complex and told nearby residents to stay inside for their own safety.



"I was just watching TV and then I heard really loud noises," a woman told emergency officials."I think I'm going to hide in my bedroom...please just hurry...it's right outside my door."



A woman who was opening up a nearby restaurant on Ashley River Road also called in after seeing several law enforcement units in the area; authorities would shut down Carriage Lane and Old Towne Road as the nine hour standoff progressed.