The community of Newport News, Virginia is still reeling from the shooting on Friday, January 6 at Richneck Elementary. First-grade teacher Abby Zwerner is in stable condition after being shot through the hand and torso. Zwerner, 25, a teacher described to be an “all-around good teacher” and comes from a long line of educators, was shot by one of her six-year-old students. The boy had intentionally fired a handgun after an “interaction” with her, according to Police Chief Steve Drew. He elaborated, “There was no physical struggle or fight.” 

No students or other faculty were injured. The boy fired one round, leaving Zwerner with a life-threatening injury.  

After hearing the gunshot, another employee entered the classroom and restrained the boy. The office was informed of the shooting, putting the school on lockdown. Zwerner was able to lead her students out of the classroom before making her way to the office. Lowanda Sample-Rusk, a 55-year-old grandparent who was in the office at the time, witnessed Zwerner stumble through the door before it locked.

“She said, ‘Call 911 — I’ve been shot,’” Sample-Rusk said. “And then she fainted.”

Sample-Rusk and those present at the scene rushed to Zwerner’s aid, giving her CPR and applying pressure to her wounds. 

On Friday afternoon, Drew disclosed in a news conference that the boy was under police custody.

“We have been in contact with our commonwealth attorney and some other entities to help us best get services to this young man,” Drew said. 

Due to Virginia law, the boy cannot be tried as an adult. Since he is under the age of 11, he cannot be tried as a juvenile. However, a juvenile judge can revoke the parents’ custody of him, placing him with the Department of Social Services instead. 

Drew has not stated whether the parents will be charged, provided that investigation is still ongoing. The mother could face a Class 1 misdemeanor charge for not keeping the weapon properly locked away and out of a child’s reach. A Class 1 misdemeanor is the most serious misdemeanor; anything worse is classified as a felony. However, a misdemeanor charge is still a $2,500 fine and a 12-month maximum confinement in jail.

Zwerner has since been deemed safe to be released from the hospital and into her family’s care.

Her attorney, Diane Toscano, stated that she will be filing a lawsuit on the teacher’s behalf during a press conference. She claims that the school had known about the boy having a gun on him and had been warned three times. At 11:30 a.m., Zwerner reported that the boy threatened another child. Around 12:30 p.m., another teacher said she saw the boy put the gun in his pocket to bring it out to recess. The final time had been from a child who the boy had threatened, saying he would “shoot him if he told anybody.”

A fourth employee asked for someone to search him, but administration denied. An hour after the third complaint, Zwerner was shot.

On Wednesday, January 25, the school board voted to separate from the superintendent, as he and the administration failed to act on the concerns of the school staff. The assistant principal resigned on the same day.