Student Charged After Bringing Gun Into Oak Forest High School

OAK FOREST, IL — A 19-year-old Hazel Crest man faces a weapons charge after bringing a gun into Oak Forest High School, police said.

Oak Forest High School was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning after security discovered the gun on school grounds, Oak Forest police said.

Summer school student Amerion R. Epps had the gun in his possession. He did not make any threats toward the school or students, police said in a release, but the firearm was located by security personnel while investigating another incident.

The school was placed on lockdown to eliminate any threat and ensure the safety of all in the building. Epps was taken into custody without incident and the firearm was secured by police personnel.

Epps, of the 3300 block of Laurel Ln. in Hazel Crest, Illinois, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon with an enhancement for being within a school building. His bond hearing is set for July 7 at the Bridgeview Court House.