Serial Killer Has South Carolina Residents on Edge

Reward posters hang in the window of a local business in Gaffney, S.C. Friday, July 3, 2009....

Reward posters hang in the window of a local business in Gaffney, S.C. Friday, July 3, 2009. Sheriff's deputies searched Friday for a serial killer blamed for four deaths over the past six days as terrified residents wondered who might be next. (AP Photo/Spartanburg Herald Journal, John Byrum)

(AP)

The sheriff reminded people they have a right to protect themselves and advised salesmen and others to avoid knocking on strangers' doors with so many on heightened alert.

Related

N.M. Body Count Up, Police Seek Suspects

"People are going to start shooting at shadows," Blanton said.

———

Associated Press Writers Jim Davenport and Jeffrey Collins contributed to this report from Columbia.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.