5-year-old girl killed in apparent road rage shooting in northwest Harris County, HCSO says

CYPRESS, Texas - A 5-year-old girl died after a vehicle carrying five children was struck by gunfire Saturday night in Cypress, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. [Click2Houston]

A 5-year-old girl lost her life Saturday night after a gunman opened fire on a vehicle carrying her and four siblings traveling through northwest Harris County.

The shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Grant Road near Jones Road in the Cypress area as the children's mother navigated westbound traffic. The vehicle came under attack, with rounds striking the young girl. She was airlifted by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced her dead upon arrival.

Two additional children inside the car sustained injuries from shattered glass caused by the gunfire. The mother, who was operating the vehicle at the time of the incident, escaped physical injury, according to Harris County Sheriff's Office officials.

Investigators with the sheriff's office characterized the shooting as stemming from a road rage dispute, though Sergeant Adriel Hinojosa cautioned that the assessment remained preliminary. Authorities were continuing to gather additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Deputies said they had not yet obtained a description of the vehicle believed connected to the shooting. The sheriff's office is seeking information from anyone who witnessed the incident or has knowledge of the circumstances.

Those with information are encouraged to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-221-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).