Kaitlyn Kong, 22, was in a large crowd of people around 12:05 a.m. when a bullet fell from the sky, hitting her on the top of the chest and abdomen, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.
She was taken to a hospital and was treated for a non-life-threatening injury, police said.
"While I'm still shocked this happened to me, I'm thankful I survived," Kong said in a Facebook message, WRAL reported.
With all the police in the area, investigators do not believe the gun was fired near there.
"We have no idea where it came from at this point in time," Raleigh police Capt. Bill McGregor told the News & Observer. "It's still under investigation."
Kong’s family hopes the incident serves as a reminder about gun safety.
"While we ask for privacy as we continue to focus on Kaitlyn's healing and recovery, it is our hope that this unfortunate series of events will bring about more conversation and positive action on responsible gun use," the family said in a statement, WRAL reported.
She was downtown celebrating #firstnightraleigh and saw the acorn drop. Then just a few minutes after it dropped, Kaitlyn Kong felt a pain in her stomach. She had been hit by a bullet. @raleighpolice believe it had been from a gun shot in the air. #ABC11 pic.twitter.com/ohAd3wsmtZ
— Josh Chapin (@JoshChapinABC11) January 1, 2019
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