Man charged in Elgin shooting

A 20-year-old Elgin man Friday was accused of shooting a woman in the back several times Thursday, officials said.

Bernardino Hernandez Jr. of 519 W. Highland Ave., Elgin, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, according to the Kane County state's attorney's office.

At 3:10 a.m. Thursday, Hernandez stood outside the woman's first-floor bedroom window on Ann Street and fired at the woman, police said. The woman still has not been identified.

Hernandez fired at least three shots, and possibly as many as five, officials said. Three shots hit the woman in the back, officials said.

A baby was in the room during the shooting, officials said. The child might have been the object of a custody dispute, according to an acquaintance of the victim.

Elgin police searched the home, immediate property and streets around the home Thursday morning, and at least one shell casing was found, but it is unknown if it was connected to the shooting.

Hernandez appeared to be wearing a hood that partially covered his head, officials said.

The woman underwent surgery Thursday morning, Elgin police spokeswoman Ann Dinges said. Her injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, Dinges said.

Police would not say Friday if the victim knew Hernandez or whether there was any relationship between the two, but neighbors believed the two were acquainted.

Hernandez was detained by Elgin police Thursday afternoon for questioning and was kept in the Elgin lockup overnight.

Todd Cohen, Hernandez's attorney, said Elgin police did not have a strong case against his client.

"Bernardino Hernandez has an alibi; he was visiting an uncle at the time the shooting occurred," Cohen said.

Hernandez will appear at a bond hearing this morning at the Kane County Corrections Complex, where his bond and a preliminary hearing date will be set.