STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The weapon a 17-year-old Michael J. Petrides student posed with in a school bathroom and posted to social media last week has been confirmed as a BB gun, according to the city Department of Education (DOE).
A BB gun is considered a Category 1 weapon, states the citywide discipline code.
The code describes a BB gun as any "instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air, and any weapon in which any loaded or blank cartridge may be used (such as a BB gun or paintball gun)."
The code, which is consistent with the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, states that any student who is determined to have brought or possessed at school a Category 1 weapon, must be suspended for a period of no less than one year.
DOE could not disclose how the student was disciplined, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The CEO of the Office of Safety and Youth Development or other designee of the chancellor or the community superintendent can modify the suspension, in writing, on a case-by-case basis.
"Safety always comes first," said Miranda Barbot, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education. "The NYPD immediately responded to and is investigating this incident, and the school took appropriate disciplinary action."
Police are continuing to investigate the incident, DOE said.
Officers arrived at the Sunnyside school at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Friday after the Instagram post was reported to authorities. An automated message was sent to parents Friday evening, describing the incident -- that police were notified, arrived on the scene and searched the school.
Parents expressed their children's safety concerns to the Advance regarding the incident.
"I want to make sure my kids are safe," said one parent, who asked to remain anonymous. "My kid comes home saying, 'Mommy I made sure there were no guns in the bathroom,' and that's scary."
"Petrides is supposed to be a very good school," the parent said. "I made a mistake. I never should have put them there."