Shots Fired Into Oak Forest House, Police Investigating

OAK FOREST, IL — Two of Oak Forest's newest residents are feeling a bit uneasy just a week after moving into their home. Jolted awake Saturday night by popping sounds, they discovered bullets had struck their house—just feet from where the wife and dog sleep.

Brad and Melanie Andrulewicz were asleep in a rear bedroom of their home near Boca Rio Drive and Alameda Avenue when "loud cracking/popping" startled them awake.

"I looked around and couldn’t find the source of the noise," said Andrulewicz, a former Marine who holds a FOID card and keeps a gun in the home for security purposes. "I cleared my house room to room thinking someone broke in."

The next day he discovered a gouge in an interior wall and a spent round in the foyer. Melanie then spotted what appeared to be a hole in the base of the wall where the bullet had blown through the exterior wall and interior trim. A second bullet was found lodged in a window well. A third bullet also struck the house and was stuck in the exterior.

"I was more angry than scared," Andrulewicz said. "But what scared me was that it could’ve hit Melanie or our dog because that part of the couch is where Mel lays."

Police were called at the time of the gunshots late Saturday, but they did not speak with the homeowners until Sunday morning after the discovery of the bullet. Oak Forest Police Chief Tim Kristin told Patch they have no reason to believe the residence was targeted and instead think that the gunfire was a random incident. A report was filed and an investigation is ongoing, he added.

The pair, who were wed in September, closed on the property Feb. 15 and moved in two days later. Andrulewicz said that while he mostly feels safe in their home and new neighborhood, Melanie was more rattled by the incident.

Andrulewicz said they plan to install security cameras as a precaution.

"I’m going to be teaching Mel how to shoot," he added. "I’m sure it seems a little overboard to teach her that but if I’m not home I want her to be safe."

Police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Oak Forest Police Department non-emergency number at 708-687-1376 and ask to speak with the investigative division.

Main photos: Exterior photos of the bullet holes in the Oak Forest home | Photos Provided