Stray bullet victim Stephanie Nicole dies

MANILA, Philippines - The seven-year-old girl who went into coma after being hit by a stray bullet in the head during the New Year's Eve revelry has died after several cardiac arrests, an official of a public hospital announced Wednesday.

Bong Bueno of the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City said that Stephanie Nicole Ella was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. Wednesday after her 8th cardiac arrest.

"Sa kasawiang palad ang pasyenteng si Stephanie Nicole ay pumanaw 2:26 ng hapon after her eight cardiac arrest (Unfortunately, patient Stephanie Nicole was declared dead at 2:26 p.m.)," Bueno announced over radio dzMM. "Hindi na po natin siya maibabalik (We can no longer revive her)."

Stephanie Nicole was watching fireworks outside her home in Malaria district, Caloocan City when she was hit by a stray bullet in her head. She was immediately rushed to the hospital by his father, Jay, before 1 a.m. on January 1.

Bueno said that the bullet was still lodged behind the girl's left eye. He said the bullet entered the girl's skull through the parietal lobe or the upper portion of the brain.

Police believe that the owner of the gun that hit the girl also resides within Malaria district.

The girl was one of the 40 people hit by stray bullets around the country during the New Year Eve's revelry, based on initial reports received by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo had said that they are not including four-year-old Ranjelo Nimer, who died after being hit by a homemade shotgun in his back while watching a fireworks display near his home in Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

The Department of Health had reported a total of 697 firecracker-related injuries since December 21.

Caloocan City Mayor Recom Echiverri has called on the police to speed up its investigation and identify the owner of the gun  He said that based on initial investigations, at least six slugs were recovered within the area where Stephanic Nicole was hit by the stray bullet.

Echiverri said that there is a possibility that one of the slugs recovered was fired by the owner of the gun that hit the girl.