[Watch] A stray bullet strikes a 12-year-old girl, good samaritan rushes her to the hospital

A 12-year-old girl and her mother were walking to a Christmas party close to their apartment complex in Houston, Texas. While on the way, gunfire rang out in the distance, turning into a mother’s worst nightmare. A stray bullet struck her daughter in the leg, causing her to fall to the ground.

A passing neighbor heard the gunfire, saw the young girl take the bullet, and offered to drive the two to the hospital. Christmas Eve saw heavy rain, making the roads slick, and the neighbor crashed on the way.

Houston Fire Department officials told Click 2 Houston that the neighbor and the girl’s mother avoided injury in the crash. The young girl was transported to the hospital by HFD personnel, who quickly treated her.

Thankfully, her injuries were non-life threatening. As of the time of publication, the police haven’t identified the shooter. Authorities suspected the gunfire was part of a dangerous Christmas celebration.

“We just want everyone to be safe,” said police Sgt. Ali. “Everybody wants to be outside and have a good time. We just want everybody to do it safely.”

Celebratory gunfire is illegal in Texas

“There is no such thing as celebratory gunfire,” the Houston Police told the Houston Chronicle. “Not only is it against the law to shoot in the air, it’s also very dangerous.”

Texas laws read that shooting in the air in celebration is illegal in cities with a population greater than 100,000. In Houston, it’s a misdemeanor punishable by a $4,000 fine and/or a year in jail.

If someone dies as a result of celebratory gunfire, the shooter can be charged with manslaughter and face a minimum of two years or a maximum of 20 years in prison.