A family's New Year's celebration in San Antonio ended in heartache, as their 9-year-old boy, Sebastian, was struck by a stray bullet shortly after the stroke of midnight. The incident occurred in the front yard of their home off Delmar Street, near Interstate 10 on the city's East Side. According to police, an investigation into the source of the gunfire is ongoing.
In a distressing turn of events, Sebastian, described as a friendly and energetic boy, sustained a gunshot wound to his lower body. "I heard him scream, so I turned around, and he was running inside," Gina Martinez, Sebastian's mother, told Fox San Antonio. She added that upon seeing his injuries, it looked "like something was burning."
Sebastian was promptly taken to the hospital, where surgeons were successful in removing the bullet, that had penetrated about an inch into his leg, and treated his injuries. Despite the trauma of the event, Martinez said of her son, "He doesn't want to come outside for a little bit. But other than that, he's pretty brave. He took it. He is pretty tough," in an interview acquired by ABC News 4.
The recovered bullet has been handed over to authorities for further investigation. Despite previous warnings regarding celebratory gunfire, issued by San Antonio police, there have been no arrests made in connection with the incident. State Rep. Liz Campos had proposed a study on celebratory gunfire which, stalled in the Texas Legislature. Campos is slated to re-file for the 2027 session with the goal of establishing a reporting system that could assist police in these investigations. As for Sebastian, he is now home and on the path to recovery, his mother confirms.
