The tranquility of the rolling green fields and lush vineyards belie it, but many fear that another summer war between Russia and Georgia like the one 11 months ago which killed hundreds of civilians is no more than a stutter of automatic gunfire away from breaking out.
Witnesses reported hearing what they've described as automatic gunfire for more than five minutes.
Watching a lifesize replica of the spiral of the Guggenheim museum being obliterated in a storm of automatic gunfire in The International is more architectural product placement than spatial insight.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified any weapons the gunman used on Sunday, but confirmed that the shooter rained down fully automatic gunfire on a crowd of concertgoers, killing at least 58 people and injuring more than 500 from his perch on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino.
There was automatic gunfire, explosions.
It turned out to be automatic gunfire.
Occasional bursts of automatic gunfire ring out during the night.
Periodically, bursts of automatic gunfire could be heard.
He said he heard what sounded like automatic gunfire.
Police responded with volleys of automatic gunfire and pistols.
