Indiana

Child Playing Basketball Struck By Bullet That Fell From the Sky: Police

A 13-year-old boy was critically wounded when a bullet fell from the sky and hit him as he played basketball with a group of kids in northwest Indiana Saturday, police said. 

The group was playing basketball outside in the 7300 block of Harrison Avenue in Hammond when police said one of the children suddenly fell down. 

Witnesses at the scene thought the child may have had a seizure and called for an ambulance. 

Once at the hospital, officials discovered the child had been hit by a falling bullet that was shot into the sky by someone in a nearby community. 

The young teen was flown to Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago where he remained in critical condition Monday. 

Police said an investigation determined the bullet was "most likely fired into the air like a firework."

"Unfortunately, this is a common action by many people who own guns in our city and they need to know this action has consequences and will be dealt with severely by the Hammond Police Department," Hammond police said in a statement. "We ask the public to please keep your Fourth of July celebrations to the use of legal fireworks only."

Police asked residents to report anyone they believe is firing a firearm as part of a Fourth of July celebration to call 911. Anyone with information on who may have fired the gunshot in the South Hammond area Saturday night that ultimately struck the teen boy is being asked to call (219) 852-2988. 

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