> At a Glance
> – 14-year-old Ryen Harris-Contreras accidentally shot in the head by another teen on Christmas Day
> – Doctors removed part of his skull; now breathing on his own and squeezing hands
> – Groesbeck ISD hosts bake-sale fundraiser on Jan. 3 for medical bills
> – Why it matters: Community rallies as family clings to hope amid accidental shooting crisis
A single gunshot on Christmas night outside Groesbeck, Texas, nearly ended Ryen Harris-Contreras‘s life. Instead, the 14-year-old’s rapid turnaround has his mother praising divine intervention and neighbors planning bake sales to pay soaring ICU bills.
The Shooting
Deputies arrived at the rural home at 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 25 after a small-caliber rifle discharged inside. Investigators say another 14-year-old inside the house “thought the rifle was unloaded” before it fired, striking Ryen once in the head.
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office classifies the incident as an accident, not a criminal act. Ryen was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center in Temple, where surgeons removed a portion of his skull to relieve pressure.
Timeline of critical events:
- Dec. 25, 8:20 p.m. – Shooting reported
- Post-surgery – Placed on ventilator
- Within days – Tube removed, eyes opened
- Jan. 3 – Community fundraiser scheduled
Signs of Recovery
When Ryen first reached the ICU, his mother told CBS affiliate KWTX, “doctors said there was no hope.” Days later she posted a video of her son squeezing a nurse’s hand and opening his eyes.
> Ryen’s mother said:
> “This isn’t just a survival, this is a miracle. When doctors said there was no hope, God whispered, ‘Watch what I can do.'”
The teen is no longer on a breathing tube and follows simple commands, according to the family.
Community Support
Groesbeck ISD staff quickly organized a “bake sale for hope” scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 3. All proceeds will help Ryen’s relatives offset medical costs and lodging while they “stay strong and support Ryen as he fights for his life,” the district said.
Fundraiser details:
- What: Bake sale for Ryen Harris-Contreras
- When: Jan. 3, 2025
- Where: District campuses
- Goal: Ease family expenses
Key Takeaways
- A single accidental gunshot on Christmas Day left Ryen Harris-Contreras fighting for life
- Doctors removed part of his skull, yet he’s now breathing unaided and responding
- Groesbeck community hosts Jan. 3 bake sale to aid the family with mounting bills
- Sheriff’s office continues to call the shooting unintentional
As Ryen’s mother clings to her belief in miracles, investigators say they will keep the school district updated while the teen continues his uphill recovery in the ICU.
