Parents of a 10-year-old girl believed their daughter was menstruating for the first time, but realized five hours later something was very wrong with their little girl.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, when a Hayward girl was awoken by sharp pains in the middle of night, her family believed she was beginning her period.
However, when the bleeding didn't stop her parents cleaned her up in the bathroom and found a wound in her buttocks, Hayward police Sgt. Mark Ormsby confirmed to the news publication.
"Investigators later spoke with the family's doctor and confirmed that the entry wound was "rather small" and could have been overlooked if they thought she was starting her period," the SF Chronicle reports.
At about 2 a.m. on Thursday, bullets were fired in the Hayward neighborhood, one making it's way into the girl's home. According to ABC 7 News, three bullets entered through the wall of the 10-year-old girl's room.
"About 7:30 a.m., when the girl awoke, she was still in pain, unaware that the bullet 'was lodged in the pelvic area,'" Ormsby said.
The girl's parents immediately called 9-1-1.
"If they know shots are fired and you know that your child has been hit, that would be something that I would absolutely say you have a responsibility to call the police," Ormsby told ABC 7 news.
Authorities have not confirmed a motive for Thursday morning's shooting. No suspects have been identified by police. According to multiple reports, they believed the Hayward family were mistakenly targeted.
"It's scary as a mom especially, you know, because what if that was your child?" neighbor Jessica Coleman told ABC 7 news.
"It kinda freaks me out," Coleman said. "It's a 10-year-old girl you know?"
Investigators confirmed they are interviewing witnesses and have "possible surveillance video" of the crime at a nearby home.
