As Houston gears up for New Year’s Eve celebrations, one family is speaking out against celebratory gunfire after 12-year-old Ashley Rodriguez was struck by a stray bullet on Christmas Eve.
Ashley and her mother, Alejandra Moncada, are sharing their story exclusively with KPRC 2, hoping to prevent similar tragedies.
Ashley and her mother had just left a relative’s apartment in their complex on Glenmont Drive when the unthinkable happened. A stray bullet tore through Ashley’s leg, leaving her in pain and on crutches.
Ashley and her mother did not realize she was shot as the sound of firecrackers surrounded them.
"It felt hot. I thought it was a firecracker. I was looking for water to cool it down. Someone came up to me and said no, you’ve been shot," said Ashley Rodriguez.
HPD believes the shot was fired during celebratory gunfire.
Moncada said she did not hear gunshots before her daughter was struck.
“The gun supposedly had a silencer,” said Moncado.
BACKGROUND: 12-year-old girl shot by stray Christmas gunfire
A neighbor, seeing Alejandra tending to Ashley’s injury, quickly offered to drive them to the hospital. However, their rush for medical care took a turn when the car skidded on wet roads and crashed near Westpark Drive and Hillcroft Avenue. Emergency responders from the Houston Fire Department arrived at the scene and transported Ashley to the hospital, where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Ashley, holding the bullet that pierced her leg, shared how grateful she is to be alive. Doctors have told her it could take up to three months for her to recover fully.
Ashley and her mother hope their story serves as a warning to others.
“Stop using that way to celebrate. There are many other forms to celebrate,” said Moncada.
“People could be hurt just like me and don’t have the same luck as I did,” said Ashley Rodriguez.
Houston Police are still searching for the person responsible for firing the gun that injured Ashley. No arrests have been made, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.