HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A Texas woman was shot and killed in her own driveway early Wednesday, and authorities suspect a stray bullet from celebratory gunfire is to blame.
Philippa Ashford, 61, was standing at the end of her driveway shortly after midnight while a group of family and friends were shooting off fireworks, KTRK reported. She suddenly clutched her body and said, “I think I’ve been shot.”
She collapsed to the ground and died at the scene, KHOU reported.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said it is believed a stray bullet from celebratory gunfire struck Ashford. Authorities said no one in Ashford’s group had a gun. The investigation is ongoing, as deputies are searching the area for shell casings, KTRK reported.
“I don’t know if you can figure out what the odds are, but you got the family together, they’re out here celebrating the new year, and basically the matriarch of the family is now deceased,” HSCO Sgt. Ben Beall told KHOU.
UPDATE: @HCSO just released the 61 y/o victims name - Philippa Ashford sadly died, after she was shot & killed overnight by a stray bullet - she was ringing in the New Year w/ family.
— Michelle Choi (@MichelleKHOU) January 1, 2020
Investigators believe it was celebratory gunfire. #khou11 #Htownrush https://t.co/rYCratF95D
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