Officers say children and family members were celebrating a birthday at a home near Delno and Hawes on Friday evening.
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Witnesses told police they heard several people getting in an argument outside a vehicle somewhere in the neighborhood.
Moments later, shots were fired and one of those bullets went through the birthday party, hitting the 5-year-old in the leg.
"Nobody wants to see a child, an innocent child, get struck. We're fortunate in the fact she was not seriously injured," said Fresno Police Lt. Bill Dooley. "This is an absolute tragedy, this should not have taken place."
Officers took the girl and her mother to the hospital for treatment.
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They do not believe the child, was the intended target.
Witnesses did not see the shooter but saw a vehicle speeding off from the area.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Fresno Police or Valley Crimestoppers.