2 young children, 2 adults burned after fireworks went off in road rage shooting

Two young children suffered “extensive” burns and their parents were also injured when someone fired shots into their vehicle, causing fireworks to go off inside it, Harris County deputies say.

The shooting occurred at a gas station near Highway 249 and Ella around 9 p.m. Thursday.

The sheriff’s office says the shooting was a result of a road rage incident that began near a grocery store. Deputies say the two vehicle continued up Highway 249 until they pulled into a gas station, both men got out of their vehicles, and exchanged more words.

Investigators say one of the men then pulled out a gun, and the other man went back to his vehicle and started to leave with his wife and two children, when the man with the gun opened fire on the vehicle. Authorities say the family had just purchased fireworks and one of the rounds struck the fireworks and caused them to explode.

The family’s vehicle caught on fire, but a good Samaritan was able to pull them out and take them to an urgent care center. A 1-year-old baby and a 2-year-old child were taken to the hospital by Life Flight with “extensive” burns throughout their bodies, officials say. The mother and father were also taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Deputies are searching for the suspect who shot at the family’s vehicle. The man is believed to have been driving a newer model, light colored Ford Expedition and possibly had three other people in the vehicle.

Anyone with information that can help investigators is asked to call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.