A 15-year-old Round Lake Beach girl was struck and killed Thursday by a stray bullet fired from outside her home, authorities said.
Round Lake Beach police called about 9:10 p.m. to a home on the 1500 block of Cherokee Drive on a report of an injured person found the girl inside with a gunshot wound, according to Lake County sheriff’s Deputy Chief Chris Covelli.
Preliminary information showed a person fired a gun outside, nearby the home, Covelli said, and a stray bullet entered the home and struck the girl.
She was pronounced dead at a hospital. It does not appear the girl was the intended target of the shooting, Covelli said.
Covelli said even if unintentional, the shooting is considered a homicide.
Due to the circumstances, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force was asked to assist, Covelli said.
An autopsy is being scheduled. Anyone with information is asked to call Round Lake Beach police at (847) 546-2127.