WOODLAND – A bullet proved to be a rude wake-up call near here Thursday morning.

A 16-year-old female, asleep on a couch in the living room of her mother’s residence in Arrowhead Mobile Home Park, was struck in the face by a bullet shortly after 5 a.m.

Fortunately, the teen did not suffer any life-threatening injuries, according to Northampton County Sheriff’s Captain D.M. Harmon who is investigating the case.

“The bullet hit the victim in the face, but did not penetrate the bone,” Captain Harmon said. “She suffered a facial fracture and two dental fractures.”

Harmon said the bullet’s impact was lessened due to the distance from which it was fired plus the fact that it traveled through two walls and the couch before striking the victim.

“The victim was asleep on the couch when she was struck by the bullet,” Harmon said. “The bullet, fired from outside the residence by an unknown person, impacted the mobile home and then traveled through a bedroom wall, a living room wall and a couch before striking the victim.”

The Sheriff’s Captain added that the victim’s mother said she was awakened by the sound of a gunshot.

“Shortly thereafter, the victim and her sister (who was asleep on another sofa inside the home) ran into their mother’s bedroom where the mother noticed blood coming from the nose and mouth area of one of her daughters,” Harmon reported.

Northampton County EMS was dispatched to the scene and transported the victim to Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie where she was treated and released.

The investigation continues as to the identity of the shooter. Those with information are urged to contact the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office at 252-534-2611 or the Crimestoppers Hotline at 252-534-1110. The identity of all callers is kept confidential.