Stray bullet lodges in leg of 8 year old Minnesota girl

This 8 year old Minnesota girl was walking to church when she felt something painful hit her leg. Much to everyone's surprise, the object that hurt was a stray bullet that lodged in her leg. From the article:

Authorities surmise it was a freak accident that may have involved two men shooting rifles on private land at least a mile from Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Hudson Road, said Dan Starry, Washington County chief deputy. He said deputies are investigating why the men were shooting.

The only hunting season open now in this area is for crows, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

It was a warm, sunny Saturday and Heather was approaching the church, walking with her 6-year-old sister a few steps ahead of her parents and baby sister. They were just arriving for a Saturday evening service when Heather began crying, her mother said.

They never heard any shots, Shannon Cooper said. She and one of the pastors said deputies told them later that the bullet came from the north, apparently crossing Interstate 94.

(...) "It was apparent the rifle round traveled a long distance before striking the young girl," Gutteriez, who helped deputies canvass the area, wrote in a report. 

(...)She still doesn't know quite what to think of getting hit by a stray bullet, but the girl had, in her tiny voice, a clear message.

"People should be careful," she said.

Indeed. People should be careful. Little girls should be able to walk to church without being hit by stray bullets.

(a related video, about how many localities only specify a 500 foot safety range, despite the fact that bullets can travel a mile or more)