Two toddlers are in critical condition after fireworks exploded in their family pickup, set off by gunfire during a road rage shooting.
The incident in Houston, Texas, occurred on the night of July 4.
“The car that was struck was occupied by a Hispanic female of four: a mom, dad, a 1-year-old, and one 3-year-old,” wrote Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in a statement on Twitter. “Family had bought fireworks. It is believed gunfire struck the fireworks causing them to ignite. The father drove off briefly, but car engulfed in flames.”
After pulling over at a gas station, the two male drivers got out and exchanged words.
When the other driver revealed a firearm, the father got back in his pickup to leave. That’s when the gunman opened fire.
The family was rescued by some good Samaritans who took them to a community ER, according to the sheriff’s office.
The suspected shooter, who was traveling with a woman and children, fled the scene in his vehicle, said Gonzalez.
“Toddlers sustained major burns & had to be lifeflighted. Both are in critical condition. Dad was also injured. All info is preliminary at this time,” wrote Gonzalez.
The police have security footage of the incident, taken from the gas station, but have not currently released it.
Video footage of the truck in flames on the highway was obtained by ABC, and posted to Twitter.
The fire marshal’s office said in a statement that it is investigating the fire, and said that all four occupants of the vehicle had been burned, confirming that the burns had occurred when fireworks inside the car went off due to the gun shots.
The fire marshal’s office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that could help solve the crime.
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