A Bay area teenager, struck by a stray bullet, is asking people to put down their weapons this Fourth of July holiday.

"Think before your actions," said 14-year-old Diego Duran.

A bullet struck Diego in the head a year and a half ago. Since then, his family launched Bullet Free Sky to spread the message about the dangers of celebratory gunfire.

The group held a fundraiser at the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin Wednesday.  

"I believe in karma, I don't believe in looking back," said Sandy Duran, Diego's mom. "I believe in looking forward and making a difference."

Diego is still suffering from the bullet wound.

"I'm still struggling a little because I have like a tube going down into my stomach, draining fluid," Diego said.

He's had five surgeries with another procedure scheduled for next month.

"It's been hard, like I'm struggling in school and math," Diego said. "That's the one thing I'm struggling in, that I used to be good in before.

With a lot of tutoring, Diego's mom said he made it through school this year. Diego is set to start Lennard High School in Ruskin in August. 

The family hopes Diego's story will deter people from shooting to celebrate the Fourth of July.

To find out more about the group, go to bulletfreesky.com.