Chicago girl struck by gunfire while taking driver's ed behind-the-wheel course

CHICAGO - A 17-year-old girl was shot and injured during driver’s ed in the city’s Roseland neighborhood Thursday.

The teen’s mom spoke with FOX 32 and said her daughter was taking her last driving exam when gunshots rang out around noon.

"She was just still in shock, I could see the tears coming out of her eyes," the teen’s mom, who did not want to be identified, told FOX 32. "She was really, really scared at that moment."

According to police, the teen was struck by a bullet near 113th and Normal.

Her mom said she was doing a three-point turn with her instructor when she heard gunfire.

The teen is student at EPIC Academy, but was assigned to Fenger High School for driver's ed.

Her mom said her daughter described feeling something hit her and then felt blood.

Her mom says, thankfully, it was only a graze wound.

The teen was treated for her injury with stitches and was released from the hospital Thursday evening.

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"As soon as they heard the shots, the instructor told both of the students in the car – my daughter and the other one in the rear – to get down so as soon as my daughter heard that the car got struck one time, that’s when she turned and as soon as she turned, that’s when the bullet hit her in her ear. If she wouldn’t have moved, the bullet probably would have hit her in the face," the teen’s mom said. "I immediately just turned around and headed to the hospital, I was shaking."

No one else was hurt, but the girl's mom said there was a bullet hole in the driver's side door of the driver's ed car.

The teen's mom tells FOX 32 that both schools – EPIC Academy and Fenger High School – contacted her right away.

Police said no one is in custody.

A letter was sent out to the Fenger community Thursday night by Principal Mescha Lammy: "The safety of your children is always our top priority, which is why I am writing to inform you of an incident that impacted our school this afternoon. During one of our driver education programs, shots were fired in the vicinity of our school. We notified the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the CPS Office of Safety and Security to protect the safety of all students and staff involved in the program. CPD quickly arrived and responded to the situation, and this matter will be handled in accordance with CPS policies.  Due to the privacy of those involved, I am unable to go into further details.

Please know that we are taking this matter extremely seriously. We will continue to work diligently with CPD and the CPS Office of Safety and Security to ensure that our school continues to be a place where all students can reach their full potential. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly."