3-year-old struck in leg by stray bullet while walking in Shady Lane Park with family, police say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An investigation is underway after police said a toddler was shot at a park in northeast Houston on Monday.

The Houston Police Department said shots were fired just before 5:30 p.m. at Shady Lane Park.

A family told police they were walking when they heard gunshots and then realized that their 3-year-old was shot in the leg.

“Near as we can tell, this was not a drive-by shooting or a targeted thing. They just heard gunfire in the area,” Lt. Larry Crowson explained.

Crowson said they were first alerted when an officer was flagged down near the park by a car with the toddler inside. The family was rushing him to the hospital.

HPD said the officer then applied a tourniquet to the 3-year-old boy’s leg while waiting for a Houston Fire Department ambulance to arrive.

Officers said the boy was alert and talking when he was taken to the hospital.

Police checked the park for any evidence related to the shooting. Crowson said police did not find anything but investigators will follow up.