Durham Toddler Continues To Improve After Shooting

A 3-year-old Durham girl is in good condition after being hit in the head by a bullet Monday morning.

Durham police say shots were fired just before 1 a.m. at the Murdock Place Apartments on Gray Street.

Police say Stacey McDonald was sitting on her mother's lap inside a maroon Pontiac Grand Am in the parking lot of the apartment complex when she was shot in the head.

The child, who has been in critical condition, was alert and conscious when she was transported to Duke University Hospital.

Her mother, Lashawnda Cross, suffered minor injuries from glass fragments from the shattered car window. She was treated for minor injuries and released.

Other people who were in the car were not injured.

Investigators believe the shot was intended for Cross's boyfriend, Decario Hope, who was getting in the car when the shot was fired.

They have not determined a specific motive, but police believe the shooting may have been a result of an ongoing argument. There were several men standing in the apartment complex parking lot when the shot was fired.

Investigators are following several leads in the case. So far, no charges have been filed.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 683-1200 or Investigator M.E. Harris at 560-4440, ext. 236. CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,200 for information leading to an arrest.