Reported By:  Valerie Hoff

Web Editor: Manav Tanneeru

Last Modified: 3/4/2004 6:02:16 PM

A Gwinnett County 10-year-old was suspended from school for reportedly using his thumb and forefinger as a pretend gun. The school said Jonathan Motes violated its zero-tolerance weapons policy.

The incident occurred in class Tuesday morning and Motes is not allowed back to Parsons Elementary School till Friday.

"I finished my work. I was bored. I was playing around and saying 'bam' in my hand I did this twice," the fifth-grader said while forming a pretend gun with his fingers. He said he was aiming at the ceiling.

Jesse Motes, the student's father, said he did not hear about the incident till 24 hours later when he heard from Assistant Principal Mirand Brand

"The school called me and Dr. Brand said Jonathan's being suspended for making a shooting motion with his hand," the father said. "She said he broke the zero-tolerance policy. He made a threatening gesture and it falls under zero-tolerance policy."

School officials said the suspension was not in response to one isolated incident, but the result of repeated behavioral problems, which included a threat to kill other children earlier this year.

Motes and his father admitted the child had discipline problems last fall, but said his behavior has improved. The family has not yet been able to reach the school principal, but said they were hoping the suspension will be lifted.

Gwinnett County administrators were in staff meetings all day Wednesday and were not available for comment.