13-year-old girl shot; rushed to Women and Children's Hospital

A 13-year-old girl was rushed to Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo with serious injuries after a shooting in Niagara Falls.

Police say several shots were fired into a home located at 2475 Willow Avenue at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Thursday. The 13-year-old girl was being struck by three rounds and is listed in guarded condition at the hospital.

One of the bullets lodged in her skull. Police believe she was fortunate that the bullet penetrated the skin and rode along the skull before stopping just above the ear line. The victim was also hit in the forearm and the pelvis. 

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster released a statement on Friday night urging the community to come forward with any information. "Only by the grace of God are we not facing the loss of an innocent young person to senseless gun violence right before Christmas. Help us stop the violence while there is still time". 

At this time detectives do not believe this was a random shooting however do not believe the girl was the intended target. Her 39 year old mother and two young boys were also in the home at the time. 

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call police.