Student who took gun to school suspended

The Southampton High School senior who brought a gun onto school grounds last week has been suspended for the rest of the school year, but he will be given tutoring through the district so he can graduate with his class, according to school officials.

The 17-year-old student, who is being treated as a youthful offender by the courts, was arrested Oct. 26 after an unloaded shotgun was found on the floor of his car, parked in the school parking lot. His name was not released by the courts or police because of his age.

He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for having the 20-gauge single-shot Stoeger shotgun in his 2009 Jeep Wrangler, Southampton Village police said.

Security guards overheard the teen talking about the gun to other kids, police said. The teen's lawyer, Sag Harbor attorney Brian DeSesa, said that it was noticed by someone passing by, and that his client didn't know the gun was in the car.

"He was out with a friend the day before, and the friend, who is the owner of the gun, left it in the car," DeSesa said. "It was an innocent kid mistake, and we want to make sure it doesn't hinder him for the rest of his life."

The student was arraigned in Southampton Town Court immediately after the arrest and has had an additional hearing since then. The Suffolk County district attorney's office said he is being treated as a youthful offender, so the courtroom was sealed during both appearances.

In a statement released at the time, Southampton School District Superintendent J. Richard Boyes said no threats were heard then.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is a top priority," Boyes said, adding that any students who violate school conduct codes are subject to similar discipline. The hearing to determine the senior's discipline was held Tuesday.

At a Tuesday night school board meeting, the subject of the gun was briefly raised. Daniel Claud, the parent of a high school student, broached it during public comments near the end of the meeting.

Claud, a retired New York State trooper, commended security officials, and suggested the school send letters of commendation to those who quickly responded and contained the situation. "There's no telling what tragedy may have been averted," he said.

Boyes said commendations to the officers had already been made.