MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan City Mahor Enrico Echiverri on Wednesday asked the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to identify and arrest the person who fired a gun that hit a 7-year-old stray bullet victim in the city during the New Year's Eve revelry.
Echiverri also urged Caloocan City residents who may have information that would help determine the identity of the shooter to come out and help in the police's investigation.
Reports said that the shooter could have been living near Tala Leprosarium, in the city's Malaria district.
Several people told police that they heard a gunshot coming from the area before 7-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella was hit by the stray bullet.
The girl was watching fireworks outside their home along Lorenzo Ruiz Street, Barangay 185 in Malaria district when she was hit by the stray bullet at around 12:45 a.m.
The girl is currently in coma and is confined at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, Councilor Ricojudge Echiverri, who sits as president of the League of Barangays in the Philippines, has donated P50,000 to the parents of the girl.
The Philippine National Police said that the girl is among the 40 people hit by stray bullets nationwide during the New Year's Eve revelry.