KATY, Texas – Multiple properties in the Jasmine Heights subdivision in Katy were struck by bullets on New Year’s Eve.
The property owners believe it was the result of celebratory gunfire.
A mother and wife named, Dakota said on New Year’s Eve she was enjoying a nice movie with her family when she heard what she thought were fireworks hitting her home. She’s now convinced it was a 9-millimeter hollow tip bullet.
“What we noticed first was this hole up here (in the garage door) where it looks like the bullet came in at an angle, and it immediately matched up with my bumper and went through the frame of the car,” Dakota said, “It wasn’t until I took it to the dealership today that they found the missing bullet.”
Despite the damage she said she’s thankful because it could’ve pierced through one of her kids.
“My garage is about five feet over from our nursery, and if it had been a little bit over to the left, I don’t know what would’ve happened,” she said.
Dakota learned her family wasn’t the only one in the neighborhood that may have dodged a bullet.
“So, we have a neighbor who to the best of my knowledge, it went through their roof and down through their kitchen ceiling while they were in the home. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and I was also informed that someone’s truck was also hit,” she said.
She said the Harris County Sheriff’s office investigator working the case told her he found shell casings but not right near her home.
“9 mm shell casings were found on the sidewalk next to somebody’s property,” she said adding that it was about a mile away. “Which is why I’m not even sure if that is the correct shell casing, but it just goes on to show that multiple people could’ve been firing off guns last night.”
With an estimated $2,500 worth of damage to her property, and countless fears, things could’ve been worse. She’s now using her story to spread awareness.
“We definitely know that the statistical chance of the person who fired this gun being caught is very slim. However, please think about gravity when you’re firing a gun,” she said.
This is not an issue that’s unique to where Dakota lives in Harris County. The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office put out an advisory on celebratory gunfire. In it they mentioned that a bullet fired into the air can travel 2 miles at rates higher than 300 feet per second. Officials said that’s enough force to pierce a human skull.