Teen released on bail after being charged with bringing gun, bullets to West Islip High School

A West Islip teen pleaded not guilty Tuesday after he was charged with bringing an unloaded handgun and bullets to West Islip High School on Monday.

The unidentified 17-year-old  teen appeared in Youth Court in Central Islip, where a judge set bail at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond. The teen posted bail and was released, his attorney, Todd Greenberg said.

The teen was not identified because he is a minor.

Suffolk County prosecutors charged the teen with three felony counts, including criminal possession of a weapon and bringing a weapon on school grounds.

“There is absolutely no evidence and no criminal intent that my client was going to cause any physical injury to anyone,” Greenberg said in a phone interview. “That is clearly shown by the fact that the gun was not loaded.”

The teen was charged with possession of a loaded weapon because he had bullets in his backpack for the unloaded revolver, court records state.

Police were called to West Islip High School shortly before 11:30 a.m. Monday after other students reported the gun to school staff. The school safety team confiscated the weapon and notified police.

Prosecutors said the teen had a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver and 25 bullets for the gun, which police discovered in his backpack, according to court records.

The teen did not have a permit for the gun, permission for the revolver or “readily accessible ammunition” when it was discovered in the school library, court records state.

The school was placed under a “hold in place” order for about an hour before classes resumed.

West Islip Superintendent Paul Romanelli commended students for reporting the weapon in a letter sent to parents Monday.

Another hearing for the teen is set for Monday, when Greenberg said he will request the case be moved to Suffolk County Family Court, based on his argument that the teen did not intend harm or cause injury.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.