Celebratory Gunfire Leaves 2 People Dead

An 11-year-old boy died Sunday after being struck by a bullet fired to celebrate the new year.

Richard Ulloa was hit on the top of the head shortly after midnight while standing behind a house where a New Year’s Eve party was being held, police spokesman Mike McCullough said.

No arrests were made Sunday because several people had been firing into the air, McCullough said.

In New Orleans, a tourist from Boston was killed New Year’s Eve after she was hit by a stray bullet apparently fired into the air in celebration, police said.

Amy Silberman, 31, appeared to be the victim of an unwanted holiday custom that police have been trying to crack down on this year, said Sgt. Marlon Defillo, a police spokesman.

Silberman was hit in the head just before midnight as she and some friends stood in the French Quarter waiting for a fireworks display, Defillo said. No arrests were made.