Texas woman apparently killed by celebratory New Year’s gunfire

A Texas family matriarch was shot dead by what cops believe was celebratory gunfire as revelers nearby rang in the new year, according to a new report.

Philippa Ashford, 61, was celebrating with her loved ones just after midnight in a cul-de-sac of Houston’s Laurel Oaks neighborhood — where family and friends were shooting off fireworks — when she suddenly clutched her body and said, “I think I’ve been shot,” ABC 13 reported.

Then she collapsed and died, according to the report.

“At this point from our witnesses and seeing at the scene, we believe this may very well be a case of celebratory gunfire somewhere else in the neighborhood,” Sgt. Ben Beall of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office told the outlet. “No indication a family member or anyone else in the cul-de-sac was discharging a firearm.”

Authorities went from house to house searching for shell casings and trying to find out where the gunfire came from.

“I don’t know if you can even figure what the odds are,” Beall added. “You’ve got the family together, celebrating the new year and now the matriarch of the family is deceased.”

The incident came after Houston authorities had warned locals not to fire their guns during New Year’s celebrations.

Another man was also shot in the wrist just after midnight in Houston by celebratory gunfire, while he was outside with his roommate, KHOU reported.

He was rushed to the hospital and is expected to be OK.

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