KATY, Texas – A child was shot in the head Friday during what investigators believe was a road-rage incident.
The shooting was reported about 4:30 p.m. in the 19900 block of Masters Manor Lane in west Harris County.
According to Harris County deputies, the incident is believed to have started near the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Park Row.
Jason Spencer, spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said witnesses reported that a vehicle with a family of four inside stopped at the intersection and a man jumped out and began asking for help.
“Another vehicle pulled up close to them, and someone began firing shots from inside the vehicle at that family’s vehicle,” Spencer said.
Spencer said the man then jumped back in his vehicle and drove to a nearby hospital where it was found that a 9-year-old girl inside the vehicle had been shot in the head. He said the girl was flown from the hospital to another hospital in the Texas Medical Center for treatment, where she was listed in stable condition, Spencer said. She underwent surgery late Friday, officials said.
Spencer said authorities are searching for the gunman. Investigators said late Friday that they have a potential lead on who is responsible for the shooting.
Spencer said investigators are looking for any tips from the public on the whereabouts of the gunman or any information on what led up to the shooting. He asked anyone with information or security camera footage to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
“It’s just absolutely heartbreaking ... tragic,” Spencer said. “We want to bring justice to this young girl.”