6-year-old girl hit by stray bullet released from hospital

HOUSTON – The 6-year-old girl wounded by a stray bullet meant for a cellphone thief is now out of the hospital.

Doctors released Claire Tidwell from Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center Wednesday afternoon.

She is now home and resting with her family. Her aunt, Jessica Montanez, told Channel 2 News the girl is still using a walker and will undergo physical therapy.

Christopher Bradley, 28, the T-Mobile security guard who fired the shots as he tried to apprehend a suspected thief, made his first court appearance Wednesday morning.

Bradley is charged with aggravated assault with serious bodily injury in connection with Monday’s shooting outside a T-Mobile store on Airline Drive.

Police said Bradley, who was not in uniform at the time, confronted 18-year-old Earnest Hudson after Hudson stole a cellphone from the store. Police said Bradley pointed his gun at Hudson, who ran. Police said Bradley chased after Hudson and fired several shots, hitting Hudson multiple times.

Investigators said one of Bradley’s shots hit the 6-year-old girl, who was in a vehicle at a nearby McDonald’s drive-thru.

At Wednesday’s hearing, prosecutors said the girl suffered a broken leg.

The defense argued for a $5,000 bond while prosecutors asked for a $50,000 bond. The judge ultimately set Bradley’s bond at $30,000.

Hudson is expected to recover from his wounds, police said.