Man accidentally shoots woman while trying to clean gun in Hawthorn Woods

A 49-year-old woman is recovering after she was shot when a man attempting to clean a gun at a Hawthorn Woods home accidentally discharged the weapon, police said.

The Hawthorn Woods Police Department, Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department and Countryside Fire Protection District responded around 8:09 p.m. Sunday to the 1-100 block of Darlington Drive in Hawthorn Woods for a gunshot victim.

Hawthorn Woods Chief of Police Jennifer Paulus said that officers determined a 56-year-old man who lives at the home accidentally discharged a 9mm pistol while cleaning the weapon.

“The bullet traveled through several items near the subject, through a wall and into the shoulder of a 49 year old female visitor of the family who was resting on a bed in the next room,” Paulus told Lake and McHenry County Scanner.

The family applied pressure on the wound until paramedics arrived. She was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville by a Countryside Fire Protection District ambulance.

The woman underwent surgery and is reportedly doing well, Paulus said, adding that the family asked police to take the weapon and destroy it.

Police did not say if any citations were issued or charges were filed.