Stray bullet hits woman, may be from AK-47

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said a stray bullet, possibly from an AK-47 assault rifle, struck a woman on the wrist while she was watching New Year's fireworks.

Laurie Eberhardt, 67, said she was on a second-floor balcony at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club just after midnight New Year's Day when she felt the bullet enter her right arm at the wrist, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Online reported Wednesday.

"It was one of the most horrifying experiences of my life," Eberhardt said.

Police said the bullet appears to have come from an AK-47 assault rifle.

Police said they do not know where the gun was fired from, but it could have been several miles away from the yacht club.

Eberhardt said she has a message for the shooter.

"I would say, 'There's got to be a better use for your weapon,'" she said. "Maybe protecting your home. I can't see any reason to be shooting off an AK-47 like this. Please fire it in another way."