The terrifying ordeal took place just before 6 on Thursday evening in southwest Fresno near Kern and Collins where about 20 kids were gathered for the festivities.
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Fresno police say someone at the party had a gun in their pocket, which accidentally went off.
A single bullet was fired, sending partygoers into a panic and grazing the young girl's back.
After the shooting happened, family members took the 5-year-old to a home a few miles away near Walnut and Jensen.
Detectives say the little girl was terrified.
She was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Officers say they're still searching for the man responsible.
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They're also trying to determine if he was attending the party or was just happened to be in the area.
NOTE: An earlier version of this story said the injured girl is 4 years old based on information by police. She is actually 5 years old.
Just a couple blocks away, officers also responded to reports of a gunshot victim.
When they arrived to the area of Tulare and A streets, they found a man in his mid-twenties had been shot in the lower body.
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment, and is expected to survive.
He is not cooperating with investigators.