A Spring Grove Middle School student has been suspended and is facing possible criminal charges after playing with a toy gun in his bedroom during a Zoom class, according to the boy’s mother.
School officials suspended 13-year-old Brandon Atienza, of North Codorus Township, for three days while deciding on further disciplinary action, said Brandon’s mother, Jennifer Atienza, during an interview with the Evening Sun.
Further disciplinary action could be either a 10-day suspension or a 45-day placement in another school, Jennifer said.
The incident reportedly occurred during a virtual instruction day for the school district, which was holding classes online due to a snow storm.
On Tuesday morning, Feb. 13, Jennifer said, she was on her way home when she received a phone call from the school district informing her that Brandon had displayed a gun during a virtual Zoom class.
Immediately, she called Brandon, who told her he had been playing with an Orbeez toy gun that shoots water beads he had gotten as a gift for Christmas, and that there was a police officer outside the home. She said the toy looks like a real gun and is revolver-styled.