Nine-Year-Old Shot in Front Yard as New Year Celebratory Gunfire Strikes San Antonio

Child Becomes Latest Victim of Dangerous New Year Tradition

A nine-year-old boy named Sebastian was shot in his front yard on New Year's Eve when a bullet struck him in the leg , marking another tragic consequence of celebratory gunfire that San Antonio police have been desperately trying to prevent. "I heard him scream, so I turned around, and he was running inside," his mother Gina Martinez said. "When I looked down at his pants, it looked like something was burning."

Sebastian was rushed to the hospital where surgeons removed the bullet and stitched his injuries. The bullet, which penetrated about an inch into Sebastian's leg, was handed over to police for investigation . Sebastian is now home and recovering, but the incident has left him traumatized . "He doesn't want to come outside for a little bit. But other than that, he's pretty brave. He is pretty tough," Martinez said .

Pattern of Preventable Injuries Continues Despite Warnings

Sebastian's shooting represents just one incident in a pattern that has plagued San Antonio for years. Last New Year's Eve, Jorge Valdez Meza was sitting outside his West Side home watching fireworks when he suddenly felt a burning sensation in his arm. Moments later, he realized he had been shot in the elbow. Valdez Meza was taken to the hospital and says it took six months for his injury to heal .

City leaders say celebratory gunfire in San Antonio especially during New Year's Eve and Fourth of July celebrations results in hundreds of calls to law enforcement each year, with 102 average daily calls in 2023 and 79 average daily calls in 2024 . "Celebratory gunfire can have deadly consequences," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. "These bullets don't disappear. They can land blocks away, causing harm to innocent people and damaging homes, vehicles, and property" .

Under Texas law, recklessly discharging a firearm within city limits in large municipalities is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by fines and possible jail time . However, despite warnings issued by San Antonio police about celebratory gunfire, no arrests have been made in either Sebastian's case or Valdez Meza's shooting.

Police Launch Urgent Campaign for Community Action

The incident comes as San Antonio police continue their "Call the Shots" campaign, which urges residents to report any gunfire immediately by calling the SAPD non-emergency line at 210-207-7273 . City officials say the "Call the Shots" campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of celebratory gunfire and empowering residents to speak up. City officials say the "Call the Shots" campaign will remind residents that celebratory gunfire is illegal in Texas and poses a serious threat to public safety .

"What goes up must come down," police say, reminding the public that bullets fired into the air eventually fall, often with devastating consequences . The campaign emphasizes that "I'm not sure the person that did it had the intention or even knows about it to this day," Valdez Meza said , highlighting how shooters often remain unaware of the harm they cause.

Legislative Efforts Stall as Families Suffer

State Rep. Liz Campos had proposed a study on celebratory gunfire, but it stalled in the Texas Legislature. She plans to re-file for the 2027 session, aiming to establish a system for reporting gunfire to aid police investigations . This legislative delay means families like Sebastian's and Valdez Meza's continue to face preventable dangers each holiday season.

As San Antonio enters 2026, the city's experience demonstrates that education and enforcement alone may not be enough to stop this dangerous tradition. The fact that a child can be shot simply standing in his own front yard on New Year's Eve underscores the urgent need for both individual responsibility and stronger systemic solutions. Until then, families across the city will continue to face the terrifying reality that celebration in their neighborhoods can turn deadly in an instant.