Chicago police say the shooting appears to be random and no suspects are in custody.
Fernandez was hit in the chest and family members say the bullet came out of his back. He is now recovering Mt. Sinai Hospital, where family said he is in serious condition.
Fernandez was shot while sitting in the backseat of a car in the Gage Park neighborhood Wednesday night at 56th and Mozart. Police say two men said something to Fernandez's 19-year-old brother, who was driving. The brother said he didn't hear them and drove away, which is when they opened fire.
The car ended up at 57th and Sacramento.
Fernandez's mother spoke through a translator at Mt. Sinai Hospital, while she waited for an update on her son's condition.
"She says she can't imagine what her son is going through. Right now he's a little bit more stable but the bullet did go through, went into the chest and came out the back," the translator said.
Witnesses say the two men ran from the scene in dark clothing and hoodies. No other description has been released.
