William Floyd School Officials Announce Increased Random Weapon Scans

MASTIC BEACH, NY — In the wake of the discovery of a loaded gun on a student, William Floyd School District officials announced Sunday that students at the high school and Floyd Academy should be prepared for longer wait times on Monday morning as the practice of scanning random students with metal detector wands will be increased.

District officials also requested a police presence at arrival and throughout the day on Monday, they said.

The Board of Education scheduled an emergency executive session meeting, which is not a public meeting, for Monday to discuss the gun incident on Friday, and the response, "including the installation of metal detectors and other increased security measures," according to a post on Facebook.

"We will keep the community updated with any new information as a result of that meeting," the post concluded.

A teenager was cuffed on Friday afternoon after he was caught with a loaded gun at the high school, Suffolk police said.

The 14-year-old was being interviewed by a school administrator about possible vaping, and when he was searched with a metal detecting wand, the gun was found and confiscated, and the police were immediately notified, authorities said.

"This has been turned over to law enforcement, who are continuing their investigation," a post on the district's Facebook said. "The student will be dealt with through the criminal justice system. In addition to any criminal charges, the student will also be subject to severe consequences according to the school district code of conduct."

The student, who is not being identified due to his age, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds by 7th Squad detectives, police said.

The student was held overnight at the 7th Precinct in Shirley and was scheduled for arraignment as a juvenile offender at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday.

The investigation is continuing, police said.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the 7th Squad at 631-852-8752.