Young Girl Playing In Her Backyard Hit By Celebratory Gunfire

OAKLAND, CA — A six-year-old girl was in stable condition in a hospital Tuesday afternoon with a gunshot wound police believe was caused by celebratory Oakland New Year's Eve gunfire, a police spokeswoman said.

The girl was playing in the backyard of her home in the 9600 block of Thermal Street in East Oakland sometime before 2 a.m. when she was hit by a stray bullet, according to a police investigation, Officer Johnna Watson said.

A family member took the child to the hospital and she was treated and then transferred to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, according to Watson.

"Due to the injury to the child and evidence observed at the scene, at this time it is believed the child was struck by celebratory gunfire," Watson said in an email.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department's Felony Assault Unit at (510) 238-3426. The police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest.

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— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock