09 August 2023 , 22:31
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A 6-year-old boy is accused of shooting and seriously wounding his first-grade teacher, unsealed documents reveal.
The incident occurred at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News last winter when the young boy allegedly boasted, "I shot that b**** dead," which left teacher Abigail Zwerner, 25, with gunshot wounds to her chest and hand.
The accused boy reportedly opened fire in his classroom on January 6, 2023, injuring his teacher and police rushed to the scene.
After the shooting, Ms Zwerner told police at hospital that she saw the child standing by his desk when he "pulled a firearm out of his jacket pocket and pointed it" at her, according to the newly released documents. Before he shot the 9mm handgun, she said, "What are you doing with that?"
Students return to Richneck Elementary in Newport News, Virginia, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, for the first time since a 6-year-old shot the teacher (TNS)A reading specialist identified as Amy Kovac, who had managed to restrain the alleged shooter, told officers of the boy's chilling statement, "I did it. I got my mom's gun last night."
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The investigation revealed that the firearm used in the shooting had been legally purchased by the boy's mother, Deja Taylor.
Taylor pleaded guilty on June 12 to illegally obtaining and possessing a firearm, as well as making false statements during the firearm purchase process.
Her potential sentence could amount to a maximum of 25 years in prison. The 6-year-old boy himself has not been charged due to his age.
Abby Zwerner has filed a $40 million lawsuit against school administrators and the school board for compensatory damages (Facebook)Teacher Abigail Zwerner, who endured multiple surgeries in her recovery, filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school, asserting that school officials ignored critical warnings about the boy's possession of a gun. She accuses the school of gross negligence.
According to the search warrant, multiple staff members, including Amy Kovac, the reading specialist who restrained the boy, heard from two students on the day of the shooting who said the 6-year-old boy had a gun in his book bag.
The documents also mention another incident with the same student while he was in kindergarten. A retired teacher told police he started "choking her to the point she could not breathe".
Newport News Public Schools released a statement on Tuesday. A spokesperson said: “Since the tragedy at Richneck Elementary School in January, Newport News Public Schools has worked cooperatively with the Newport News Police Department and other authorities in support of the investigation. While the school division cannot comment on legal actions, NNPS remains committed to ensuring the well-being and care of all students and staff.”