HOUSTON – A 15-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after she was shot in the arm with a pellet gun on her way to school.
"I'm still in shock because I wouldn't think that somebody would do something crazy like that -- just shoot a kid for no reason, for no response," said the Westbury High School sophomore, who asked that her identity not be revealed.
Officials said the victim was walking on Ludington toward Chimney Rock, heading to Westbury, when two men in a gray or silver SUV pulled alongside her.
"They asked me how old I was and some other questions I don't feel comfortable saying," she said.
The teen kept walking, ignoring the men's lewd requests, and then she heard a noise.
"I looked at my arm and it was throbbing and it was hot. I saw the hole in my arm and I just started to cry," she said.
Officers said the men shot the girl in the arm with a pellet gun.
A spokesperson for Houston Independent School District said the shooting happened a mile from campus. The student was treated by paramedics at the scene and was able to go on to class. Her family then took her to a hospital for further treatment.
Westbury High School released the following statement to parents after the incident Wednesday:
"I need to make you aware of an incident that occurred Wednesday morning off campus. One of our students was reportedly shot by a pellet gun in the 6200 block of Ludington Drive, about a mile away from campus.
Witnesses immediately called 911. The student was treated by paramedics and was able to return to class. The parents of this student also have been notified.
The Houston Police Department is investigating, and extra HISD Police officers have been assigned to patrol the area. The suspects are described as two African-American males driving a beige colored vehicle. The suspect driving the vehicle was described as having short hair and wearing a black shirt. The suspect on the passenger side of the vehicle was described as wearing a black and red hat with a black shirt.
Please know we take these situations very seriously, as the safety of our students is always our absolute top priority. I urge you to be vigilant in the neighborhood. If you see any suspicious activity or have any information about this incident, we ask that you contact the HISD Police Department immediately at 713-892-7777, or call 911."
Elementary school kids witnessed the incident and described the shooters as being in their early 20s.
HISD officials say they've stepped up police patrols in the area. Houston police are still investigating.