In a gunfight in Madison, Wisconsin, a baby shark toy saved a 3-year-old girl from a stray bullet, according to police.
On Nov. 24, the bullet had shot through the toddler’s bedroom wall, and was just a few inches from her head.
Police believe the incident happened when two opposite sides began shooting at one another in the 900 block of Vernon Ave, with multiple bullets damaging vehicles as well as buildings.
While thankfully no one was hurt in the incident, a sleeping 3-year-old girl was almost injured when bullets entered through her bedroom wall and into her baby shark plushie which was just “5 to 10 inches” from her head.
“If the bullet would’ve came a couple more inches, it could’ve targeted her,” Tanice, the toddler’s mother, shared with NBC 15.
Tanice said how she felt “lucky” her daughter avoided the bullet and also noted how her child was playing with the toy in her bed just 30 minutes before the shootout happened.
Ultimately, police found 45 shell casings related to the gunfight — a very high number that spurred Madison’s mayor, Satya Rhodes-Conway, to share a statement.
“It is is the police department’s highest priority and we will continue to work with the police, community leaders and other criminal justice stakeholders to address gun violence in our community,” Conway shared in a message on the City of Madison’s website.
She continued on, sharing:
“Gun violence is not going to be tolerated in Madison. The people involved in this incident showed reckless disregard to human life, and we are fortunate no one was injured or killed. If anyone knows anything about this, it’s time to speak up.”