Running Joliet Teen Slipped in Mud, Fell and Accidentally Shot Buddy in Back: Police

A Joliet teen shot his buddy in the back after he slipped in the mud while running with a gun, police said.

The wounded 17-year-old believed he had been gunned down by a rival even after he arrived at Silver Cross Hospital early Saturday morning, police said, but after sifting through various stories, detectives got to the bottom of what actually happened.

The teen, along with another 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, were hanging out in a Mississippi Avenue alley shortly before 3 a.m., police said. The 16-year-old was allegedly carrying a handgun and fired it. The teens then heard another shot ring out in the distance and took off running.

The 16-year-old slipped in the mud and when he fell his gun went off, police said, and the bullet hit his pal in the back.

The 16-year-old was charged with the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm. He was taken to River Valley Juvenile Detention Center.

The wounded teen was expected to survive, police said.