6YO Boy In Custody After Shooting Teacher In Virginia

[Sugar Cookie]

A 6-year-old boy is in police custody after he shot a teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, on Friday afternoon, according to Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew.

"The individual is a 6-year-old student. He is right now in police custody," Drew said. "We have been in contact with our commonwealth attorney and some other entities to help us best get services to this young man."

During a news conference Friday evening, Drew said the female teacher -- who is in her 30s -- was shot inside a classroom and added that "this was not an accidental shooting," CNN reported.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/06/us/newport-news-virginia-shooting/index.html

Drew says there was an altercation between the teacher and the student before a single round was fired.

The teacher's injuries are considered life-threatening at this time, Drew said. Earlier Friday, Drew said the teacher was in critical condition.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/06/us/newport-news-virginia-shooting/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/06/us/newport-news-virginia-shooting/index.html

6-year-old boy in custody after shooting teacher in Virginia, police chief says

There was an altercation between the teacher and the student before a single round was fired, police said.

abc13.com

 

[BuffettGirl]

What in the HELL is going on in that child's home? This is not normal six year old behavior at all!

 

[runninfawn]

What in the HELL is going on in that child's home? This is not normal six year old behavior at all!

yea and a loaded gun available to a 6 y.o??? parents right there are very negligent and yea should be charged and held responsible...

 

[Sejanus]

Incomprehensible

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A critically injured first-grade teacher intentionally shot by a 6-year-old student in the classroom is being hailed as a hero for warning other kids to flee to safety amidst the gunfire.

Abby Zwerner, 25, was identified by FOX3 Now Newsas the teacher who was shot in the chest around 2 pm Friday at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va.

Zwerner was rushed to Riverside Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, where she remains in critical condition.

There were no other reported injuries.

Another 6-year-old student who witnessed the shooting told The Daily Pressthat her classmate shot their teacher “on purpose” and that the instructor fell to her knees after being stuck.

Police Chief Steve Drew told reporters at a news conference Friday that “this was not an accidental shooting. It was in a classroom, and there was a fight.”

Authorities said it wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the argument or how the child managed to get ahold of the weapon.

A grandmother of one of Zwerner’s students said another pupil brought “bright gold bullets” to school last week, but it’s unclear if its same youth in custody, FOX3 reported.

Abby Zwerner hailed a hero after being shot by 6-year-old student

Abby Zwerner, a first-grade teacher Richneck Elementary School, was intentionally shot by a 6-year-old student in the classroom Friday.

nypost.com

 

[Satanica]

I was stunned when I saw that news yesterday. I hope Ms. Zwerner will fully recover.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The first-grade teacher in Virginia who was shot by her 6-year-old student was about to confiscate the gun when the child pulled the trigger.

“She was going to confiscate it — and that’s when he shot,” Brittaney Gregory, whose son was in the class, told the Washington Post.

Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner was shot by 6-year-old as she tried to confiscate gun

The first-grade teacher in Virginia who was shot by her 6-year-old student was about to confiscate the gun when the child pulled the trigger.

nypost.com

 

[thuumpr]

Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner was shot by 6-year-old as she tried to confiscate gun

The first-grade teacher in Virginia who was shot by her 6-year-old student was about to confiscate the gun when the child pulled the trigger.

nypost.com

She didn't say 'please' did she?

 

[Blizzard]

This behavior at this age can exist only as an expression of someone else's values.

I remember being 6 years old, the mental state that was. There is 0 personal accountability at that age. I say that despite a stupid culture in parts of USA (and a few other places) where assaulting and terrorizing children through violence by adults is somehow deemed acceptable.

Ideally, the responsible party should be found and have to deal with the full consequences; but it's complicated.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Gun allegedly used by 6-year-old in Virginia school shooting was bought by child's mother, police say | CNN

The gun allegedly used by a 6-year-old boy to shoot his teacher at a Newport News, Virginia, school was legally purchased by the child's mother, officials said.

www.cnn.com

 

[Satanica]

[....]
School system Superintendent George Parker told parents Thursday night in an online meeting that a school official was notified about the weapon before the 6-year-old shot the teacher at Richneck Elementary in Newport News.

“At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon in the timeline that we’re reviewing and was aware that that student had, there was a potential that there was a weapon on campus,” the superintendent told parents, according to a clip of the meeting broadcast by WAVY-TV.

The online meeting was for parents only but WAVY-TV reported the station gained access to the meeting from a parent.
[....]
Earlier Thursday, Newport News School Board Chair Lisa Surles-Law said the district will install metal detectors at all schools, starting with Richneck.

The Jan. 6 shooting occurred as Zwerner was teaching her class. Authorities said there was no warning and no struggle before the 6-year-old boy pointed the gun at Zwerner.

Police Chief Steve Drew has described the shooting as intentional. A judge will determine what’s next for the child, who is being held at a medical facility following an emergency custody order.

Drew said the child used his mother’s gun, which had been purchased legally. It’s unclear how he gained access to the weapon. A Virginia law prohibits leaving a loaded gun where it is accessible to a child under 14 as a misdemeanor.

School searched 1st-grader's backpack before teacher shot

A school superintendent says administrators at the Virginia school where a first-grader shot his teacher last week learned the child may have had a weapon in his possession before the shooting but did not find the 9mm handgun he brought despite searching his backpack.

apnews.com

 

[cubby]

I was watching the presser this afternoon and someone asked, how does a 6 year old even know how to operate a gun? I know this day and time kids are not exposed to toy guns like we were but surely that is still a stupid question.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The family of the 6-year-old boy who shot and wounded his teacher earlier this month said that their son suffers from an "acute disability," and that the gun he used to shoot the educator was "secured."

In the first public comments made since the January incident, which shocked the the city of Newport News, Virginia, the family expressed sympathy for the teacher in a statement released by their attorney.

"Our heart goes out to our son's teacher and we pray for her healing in the aftermath of such an unimaginable tragedy as she selflessly served our son and the children in the school," read the statement. "She has worked diligently and compassionately to support our family as we sought the best education and learning environment for our son."

The family said that they had always been committed to "responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children."

"The firearm our son accessed was secured," the statement continued.

It is unclear how the child accessed the 9mm handgun he used to shoot his teacher in the chest during class that day. Police described the shooting as "intentional," and say the weapon used had been legally purchased by the child's mother. The family says they have been cooperating with local and federal law enforcement to understand how the incident occurred.

The statement also said that the child was under a "care plan" at the school, which included the attendance of one of the parents in class with him every day, and that the week of the shooting had been the first they had not been in class with their son.

"We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives," the statement said.

The family did not specify the details of the "acute disability."

The statement says that since the shooting, the child has been under hospital care, and receiving treatment. The family went on to thank their son's medical team, and those who have supported them during this "difficult time."

"We continue to pray for his teacher's full recovery, and for her loved ones who are undoubtedly upset and concerned. At the same time, we love our son and are asking that you please include him and our family in your prayers."

6-year-old child who shot teacher has "acute disability," and the gun he used was "secured," family says

"We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives," said the family in a statement.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[cubby]

The parents sound like decent people who are doing the best they can with a troubled child. But the child having an"acute disability" and gun being "secured" doesn't seem to go together, to me.

 

[Turd Fergusen]

Virginia boy who shot teacher Abigail Zwerner told another he wanted to set her on fire​

A 6-year-old who shot his teacher allegedly told another educator he wanted to light her on fire and watch her die, according to a report.

Last month, the troubled boy nearly made good on his apparent murderous impulses, shooting first grader teacher Abigail Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News., Va., officials have said. Zwerner survived.

Zwerner and other Richneck teachers said they had shared their fears about the child’s grave behavior with administrators, only to have their concerns downplayed or ignored, The Washington Post reported.

Zwerner had asked for support with the boy, and expressed concerns about his behavior, teachers wrote in online messages to Newport News Superintendent George Parker III.

“She had asked for help,” one school staff member wrote in the chat.

Virginia boy who shot teacher Abigail Zwerner told another he wanted to set her on fire: report

A 6-year-old who shot his teacher allegedly told another educator he wanted to light her on fire and watch her die, according to a report.

nypost.com

 

[Sugar Cookie]

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, other teachers slammed the school online, saying Zwerner 'asked for help' 'many times' 'all year'.

Another teacher also went to the school to report receiving a note from the child, which said he 'hated her' and wanted to set her on fire to 'watch her die'.

On another occasion, other children were forced to hide under their desks when the boy started throwing furniture around the classroom.

A third incident involved him barricading the door to the classroom to stop any staff or students from leaving or entering.

Teachers have also told how overstretched resources at the school mean the boy was not receiving the special attention he needed. On some occasions, he was found wandering the halls alone.

In their statement, the boy's family said he'd been undergoing a care plan which normally meant one of his parents was with him every day.

That plan ended a week before the shooting.

'We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives,' they said.

Richneck boy, 6, who shot teacher threatened to kill another

The Washington Post cites messages between teachers and staff at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News which detail how faculty complained but were dismissed.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Not sure if this is all accurate but someone posted this on another site

The use of “care plan” and “acute disability” and the parents serving as their sons paraprofessional leads me to believe he was on a 504 plan. Parents love it because 504 plans fall under ADA law instead of IDEA law; under a 504, the child is not in special education. With an IEP, they are. Schools love 504s because theyre way cheaper/less rife with lawsuit potential than IEPs. No IEP in this nation would allow for parents to serve as their child’s educator, but 504s can be much more flexible. IEP requires goal setting, and interventions to be in place to scaffold the child. With behavior kids, their IEPs usually also come with BIPs, behavior intervention plans, and if the interventions do not work/are too intense for the general education setting, the child is moved to a resource classroom and if that still doesnt work, the district must pay for the child to be in a specialized school.

For obvious ($$$) reasons, districts avoid doingat all cost and force young, inexperienced teachers to put up with uneducable demons on 504 plans who take away from the other children’s educational opportunities. 504s are meant for temporary, limited impact issues, like if a student breaks a leg or something and this impedes their access to education until it heals, or a student who stutters and needs speech, but otherwise can do grade level work. Now, theyre using 504s to basically save money/have less legal oversight and staffing requirements.

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/6-year-old-child-who-shot-teacher-has-acute-disability-and-the-gun-he

 

[knockout]

Richneck boy, 6, who shot teacher threatened to kill another

The Washington Post cites messages between teachers and staff at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News which detail how faculty complained but were dismissed.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Not sure if this is all accurate but someone posted this on another site

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/6-year-old-child-who-shot-teacher-has-acute-disability-and-the-gun-he

Well guess this refutes the parents claiming they’re at the school every day and this was the first time they weren’t there. Claiming the gun was secured is ridiculous, if it was properly secured it wouldn’t have been in the child’s hand, fuck the parents

 

[Satanica]

[....]
Diane Toscano, an attorney for Abigail Zwerner, said during a news conference that she has notified the school board in Newport News that the 25-year-old teacher at Richneck Elementary School plans to sue the school district over the Jan. 6 shooting, which left Zwerner with serious injuries.

“On that day, over the course of a few hours, three different times — three times — school administration was warned by concerned teachers and employees that the boy had a gun on him at the school and was threatening people. But the administration could not be bothered,” Toscano said.

She said that Zwerner first went to an administrator at around 11:15 a.m. on the day of the shooting and said the boy had threatened to beat up another child, but no action was taken.

About an hour later, another teacher went to an administrator and said she had taken it upon herself to search the boy’s bookbag, but warned that she thought the boy had put the gun in his pocket before going outside for recess, Toscano said.

“The administrator downplayed the report from the teacher and the possibility of a gun, saying — and I quote — ‘Well, he has little pockets,’ ” Toscano said.

Shortly after 1 p.m., another teacher told an administrator that a different student who was “crying and fearful” said the boy showed him the gun during recess and threatened to shoot him if he told anyone. Again, no action was taken, she said.

When another employee who had heard the boy might have a gun asked an administrator to search the boy, he was turned down, Toscano said.

“He was told to wait the situation out because the school day was almost over,” she said.

About an hour later, “Abby Zwerner was shot in front of those horrified kids, and the school and community are living the nightmare, all because the school administration failed to act,” Toscano said.

“Were they not so paralyzed by apathy, they could have prevented this tragedy,” she said.

School district spokesperson Michelle Price and School Board Chair Lisa Surles-Law did not immediately return calls seeking comment on Toscano’s allegations.
[....]

Lawyer: Warnings boy had gun ignored before he shot teacher

An attorney says a Virginia teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student during class plans to sue the school district.

apnews.com

 

[knockout]

This all seems so ridiculous, school administrators should be charged as accomplice

 

[thuumpr]

This all seems so ridiculous, school administrators should be charged as accomplice

It seems as if school administrators think that 'everyone' thinks the way they do and there isn't the possibility of something going wrong.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

School admin. were trying to avoid a lawsuit by this little monster's parents.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The Assistant Principal at the Virginia school where a 6-year-old shot his teacher has resigned as allegations surface the administration failed to respond when warned about the armed student three times on the day of the shooting, The Post has learned.

Dr. Ebony Parker, the assistant principal at Richneck Elementary in Newport News, resigned, district spokesperson Michelle Price confirmed. Parker could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Parker is the first known adminsitrator to resign in the wake of the shooting.

One school administrator allegedly told a concerned teacher not to search the young boy for the gun, instead advising “to wait the situation out because the school day was almost over,” according to Toscano.

It is unconfirmed if Parker is the administrator who had given that advice or if she had been warned about the student.

Exclusive | Assistant principal resigns at Virginia school where 6-year-old shot teacher Abigail Zwerner

Dr. Ebony Parker, the assistant principal at Richneck Elementary in Newport News, resigned, district spokesperson Michelle Price confirmed to The Post.

nypost.com

 

[Turd Fergusen]

WOW! Student had gun. Wait the situation out???? She'd gonna get charged for sure.

 

[Turd Fergusen]

6-year-old who shot Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner once choked another teacher​

The 6-year-old Virginia boy who shot his first-grade teacher had a history of abusing others at school — and even choked another teacher “until she couldn’t breathe,” according to a legal filing.

The earlier alleged attack was detailed in a notice of claim alerting the Newport News school district that the shot and wounded teacher, Abby Zwerner, intended to sue.

The other teacher who said she’d been choked also confirmed the alleged 2021 attack, saying she reported it at the time to school officials without getting the support she’d expected.

She told the Associated Press that the boy had come up behind her as she sat in a chair in the front of the class — then locked his forearms in front of her neck, pulling back and down, hard.

A teaching assistant had to pull the youngster off, she said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because she fears potential retaliation from the school district.

6-year-old who shot Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner once choked another teacher

The disturbing claim of earlier violence was raised in a legal filing stating shot teacher Abby Zwerner plans to sue the Newport News school district.

nypost.com

 

[knockout]

Who are these people and what connections do they have to get away with this monster’s criminal activity. There is no question this child is a bad seed and somehow the parents are not held responsible and the child is allowed to intimidate everyone he comes in contact with. Parents need to be charged for leaving the weapon where this violent child could get his hands on it
All administrators involved should be charged and fired. Its ridiculous that no administrators are being held responsible and blow it off to the insurance company paying off the victim

 

[thatsmallgrl]

At six years old and choking out a teacher, should have already been expelled. That's insane for that age.

These administrators have this on their hands. In avoiding whatever they thinking they avoiding, lawsuits or bad press or whatever, has now come back on them about ten fold. Brilliant!!!

Not to mention this kids' parents.

 

[knockout]

At six years old and choking out a teacher, should have already been expelled. That's insane for that age.

These administrators have this on their hands. In avoiding whatever they thinking they avoiding, lawsuits or bad press or whatever, has now come back on them about ten fold. Brilliant!!!

Not to mention this kids' parents.

You left out whipping other students with his belt

 

[thatsmallgrl]

You left out whipping other students with his belt

Learned behavior no doubt.

 

[McDanel]

IMO, the parents seem very concerned and engaged. My gut feeling, and that's all it is, is he was born this way. I'd like to know more about his daily behavior, like how he treats toys, and whether they can keep a pet alive, and if he plays with fire.

 

[DaveL]

It seems like this is one of those rare children who just needs to be institutionalized. Of course, nobody wanted to "go there" because it seems like giving up on a child. The human cost is huge, pretty much writing off any hope for a normal future life for this child, a horrifying thing to contemplate. The economic cost of permanent full-time institutional care isn't small potatoes either.