Teen injured in South Loop shooting outside Burger King

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 14-year-old boy was grazed by a bullet while leaving a Burger King in the South Loop Friday afternoon around 4:30 p.m., officials said.

Shawndreus was taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment in good condition. His loved ones are grateful that the bullet that grazed his back did not take his life.

"I was lucky that he survived this. Very lucky. Very lucky," his mother Velveeta said.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Burger King in the 2300-block of South Michigan Avenue. Police said the occupants of two vehicles opened fire on each other during an argument.

"All I heard was the gunshots and customers talking about oh, they're outside popping fireworks. But I'm like, man, that ain't no fireworks, easy," said Sin Wilson

Shawndreus and his mother had just left the restaurant and were in their car, about to leave the parking lot. When the gunfire erupted there were 20 to 30 shots.

The back of the family's car was riddled with crossfire, and one of the bullets grazed Shawndreus.

"He slumped over and said, 'Mom, I'm burning.' And I said, 'You're burning?' And I just jumped. I drove out, I gunned it down, and I got out of the car," Velveeta said.

The family said they were told by doctors that if the bullet had struck Shawndreus a couple inches lower on his back, he likely would've been paralyzed. The family is counting their blessings.

"He didn't take that bullet. I've cried, I'm still shook up," Velveeta said.

Area Central detectives are investigating. No one is in custody.