Georgia Woman Brings Loaded .38 Into Christ Hospital: Prosecutor

OAK LAWN, IL -- A 19-year-old Georgia woman brought a loaded .38 caliber handgun into Advocate Christ Medical Center’s emergency room, prosecutors said. Simone Lee-Oke, 19, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a charge of aggravated unlawful use of weapon. She did not have a FOID or conceal-carry license, according to the charges.

The prosecutor said Lee-Oke drove to the Chicago area from Georgia after her brother was shot. Hospital security alerted police when they apparently saw the loaded gun in Lee-Oke’s purse. The Georgia woman allegedly made statements to police that a friend gave her the gun for protection. Georgia is an open carry state. A FOID card and conceal carry license are not required.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Lee-Oke jumped in her car after hearing her brother was shot and forgot it was in her purse because she was upset. Lee-Oke is also five months pregnant.

Felice asked if the woman was threatening anyone with the gun in the hospital. The prosecutor responded that she did not.

She was given a $10,000 I-bond and permission to travel. The judge also ordered her to surrender all her weapons.