Houston police release sketch of man accused of shooting 12-year-old girl in neck during New Year’s celebration in southwest Houston

HOUSTON – Houston police have released a composite sketch of the man wanted in connection to the shooting of a 12-year-old girl on New Year’s Day.

The suspect is only described as a Hispanic man with a slim build and a thin mustache.

The shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. when 12-year-old Emily Aguilar was shot in the neck by celebratory gunfire.

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According to Aguilar’s family, they were at the Bellfort Village apartment complex bringing in 2023 with about 80 other people when a man started shooting.

Witnesses told officers they noticed the man discharging the firearm in the courtyard, confronted him, and then wrestled the weapon away from him before he was able to run away.

Emily was transported to the hospital where the doctors removed the bullet. Although the 12-year-old is still in recovery, she is expected to be OK.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is urged to contact the HPD Major Assaults & Family Violence Division at 713-308-8800 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.