MANILA, Philippines – Stephanie Nicole Ella was at the top of her class before she was felled by a stray bullet on New Year's Day.

Her uncle, Marvin Ella, earlier told radio DZMM that Stephanie was a loving girl who did very well in school.

“Pag dadating ako, bilang tiyuhin niya sasalubong, mamano, mangungulit. At saka sa eskwelahan napakasipag. Di nawawala sa honor, top 1, top 2. Nilalaban po yan sa quiz bee sa school nila,” he told radio DZMM.

Stephanie was watching fireworks outside their house in Caloocan on New Year's Eve when she was hit by a stray bullet on the head.

She suffered 5 cardiac arrests since she was brought to the hospital and even slipped into a coma before she died Wednesday afternoon.

Her doctor, Emmanuel Bueno, said they could not operate on her because her vital signs were weak.

Before Stephanie's death, Marvin Ella appealed to the gun owner who fired the shot to come out and surrender.

“Sana makita mo yung kalagayan ng pamangkin ko. Sana ang Diyos katukin ka, sumuko ka. Makipag-coordinate ka sa amin kasi yung batang natamaan sa pagpapaputok mo napakaraming pangarap yan. Kung naniniwala kang may Diyos sumuko ka man o hindi, ang balik ng Diyos hintayin mo,” he said. With Jay Ruiz and Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN News