10-Year-Old Texas Girl Played Dead to Survive Shooting That Killed Three

Police in Houston, Texas are searching for the individual who shot and killed three family members including a pregnant mother on Wednesday.

KHOU 11 reports that the shooting took place around 10:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday (June 30), leaving father, a 28-year-old pregnant mother, and a six-year-old girl dead. Two other children were at the scene of the crime, including a 10-year-old girl who survived by playing dead as she held her one-year-old brother. She then called her grandmother for help after surviving the shooting. The perpetrator is believed to still be at large, and the motive behind the shooting remains unknown.

According to the cousin of the woman who was killed at the scene, the shooter knocked on the door and forced their way into the couple’s apartment when the dad answered. The dad was shot shortly after, and then shooter proceeded to allegedly throw the one-year-old baby by the hair, and opened fire on the other family members. The couple also have an eight-year-old son, but he was not present at the time of the shooting.

This was a very, very tragic scene,” said Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu of the Houston Police Department. “We’re sending out prayers to the family. This was not only a difficult scene for us but for the family as well.” Surveillance video from the nearby area is currently being reviewed, and at least one person has been detained for questioning.