stray bullet
Misfired lethal round
A stray bullet is one that misses its intended target or is fired randomly, striking someone or something unintentionally.
The phrase typically appears in news reports about innocent bystanders harmed by gunfire: A stray bullet killed a child playing in her front yard.
The modifier stray emphasizes the randomness and tragedy—the victim was never aimed at.
- gunfireDischarge of weapons
- ricochetAngled deflection off surface
- fatalitiesLosses of life
- accidental deathUnintentional fatal outcome
- crossfireGunfire from several angles
caught in crossfire · randomness · innocent bystander · collateral damage · casualty · accidental · tragic accident · firearm safety · crime scene · trajectory · injury · misfire · victim · discharge · fate · bystander · gun control · violence
- violenceviolence, physical attack, brutality, physical violence, aggression
stray bulletdirect hit
Strike exactly on target
sniper shot · precision strike · kill shot · headshot · guided missile
stray, bullet, strayed, straying, strays, bullets, bulleted, bulletproof