Police: Toddler expected to survive after being shot in head during shootout

HOUSTON – A 2-year old girl is expected to recover after police say she was shot in the back of the head in north Houston.

According to authorities, the incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Friday near an apartment complex on Benmar Drive and City View Place.

Authorities said the toddler was in the car with her mother and father and another adult, when an argument broke out between them and another person or group in the intersection.   

That's when shots started flying, police said. Both groups shot at each other several times and one of the bullets hit the girl in the head, authorities said.

"We don't know who fired first but we know someone in the vehicle (with the toddler) fired," said Houston Police Assistant Chief Troy Finner.

Her mother rushed the child to Northwest Hospital, and from there, the girl was transported to Memorial Hermann via Life Flight in critical condition, authorities said.

KPRC 2 spoke with the child's aunt, who told us she was on her way to the hospital to meet with her sister.

Police said the child went into surgery Friday morning and is expected to survive.

Finner said the incident may be gang-related and called it senseless. He made it clear he is going to do his best to put the shooters behind bars.

"Let me say this, whoever is responsible for shooting this kid, just do yourself a favor just turn yourself in," Finner said. "It's 2 o'clock in the morning. You know who you're shooting at, and we're going to find out."

Investigators are still working to learn more details in hopes they'll lead to an arrest. Anyone with any information about this shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.


About the Authors:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.