School officials continue to work with police on reviewing security at Hazel Park High School following a recent incident where a student brought a gun in their backpack.
By: Andy Kozlowski | Madison-Park News | Published March 14, 2025
HAZEL PARK — A 16-year-old student at Hazel Park High faces multiple charges after he reportedly threatened another student with a firearm in the boys’ locker room.
On Feb. 27, officials at the high school received an anonymous tip via the OK2Say app indicating that a student had a gun in his backpack. The assistant principal contacted both resource officers at the school, who immediately launched an investigation.
Detectives learned that the incident occurred the day prior, Feb. 26, when the suspect and another student, age 15, were in the school’s weight room. The suspect reportedly took offense to some name calling, and agreed to fight the other student in the boys’ locker room.
That’s when the suspect allegedly pulled a handgun from his backpack, placed it in his waistband and lifted his shirt to show the 15-year-old, threatening to shoot him. The victim reportedly fled the locker room. No one reported the incident at that time.
Detectives identified the suspect allegedly in possession of the gun, and interviewed him.
Initially, he denied having the gun. Officers searched his locker and bag, finding nothing.
After finishing the interview, however, the student and his father were told they would not be allowed back into the school while the investigation continued.
At that point, the student reportedly requested to get items from his locker. A detective followed him while he retrieved the items. The student allegedly stated he had left a backpack in a classroom, pointing to it. When the officer searched the backpack, the gun was allegedly found.
The student was then arrested and transported to the police station in Hazel Park, with plans to transfer him to Oakland County Children’s Village.
The recovered handgun had not been reported stolen. At press time, police continued to investigate how the suspect came into possession of the weapon.
A police canine was also requested to search the building alongside officers and staff, and the HPPD also assigned additional officers to the building to help students and staff feel safe.
“The police department does not believe there is any further threat to students or staff,” said Hazel Park Police Chief William Hamel in a statement.
On Feb. 28, the Hazel Park Police Department presented its investigation to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The prosecutor authored a juvenile petition charging the suspect with one count of felonious assault with a gun, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, and one count of possession of a firearm in a school zone.
During a hearing in juvenile court, the referee ruled the juvenile would continue to be detained, with his next hearing set for March 19. As a juvenile, his name will not be disclosed.
“The department wants to remind gun owners of their responsibility in making sure their guns are secured from children at all times,” Hamel said. “Students are reminded to use the OK2Say app if you see or hear of a gun in the school. The app allows for tips to be reported confidentially.”
The OK2Say tip form is available online at ok2say.state.mi.us.
“Reporting an event like this may have prevented a tragedy,” Hamel added.
Beverly Hinton, president of the Hazel Park Public Schools Board of Education, said that the district is carefully reviewing the incident.
“Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, (the district) is committed to doing all we can to prevent harm to our students,” Hinton said.
She said a safety committee with staff and police meet several times a year to review security.
“This incident has prompted several follow-up meetings of this group. Staff training is also extremely important. This was evident as they handled this smoothly and quietly, so as to not alarm the entire school,” Hinton said. “The Hazel Park Schools are dedicated to maintaining a safe environment in all of our schools for all of our students.”