Palatine police: Teen shot his mother

A 15-year-old boy is in custody after he shot his 45-year-old mother, Palatine police said Friday.

The boy, who is an admitted gang member, shot his mother May 26 while they were in a vehicle together, according to police. The teen had been handling a gun in the back seat when the gun went off, striking the woman in the back, officials said.

Police said the teen, who was taken into custody earlier this week, has been petitioned to juvenile court for reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Police were called about the shooting around 6:30 p.m. May 26 near Green Lane North and North Baldwin Road. When officers arrived, they found the woman, who lives in Palatine, was shot in the back, police said.

The woman was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where she underwent surgery and is now recovering.

Police said they originally believed the bullet had come from outside the car but discovered it had come from the back seat, according to police.

The teen is now at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago.