This happened because a weapon was reported, behavior concerns were also reported, and the administration did not take them seriously.". Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children.. [2] The shooting was one of sixteen U.S. school shootings perpetrated by shooters under the age of ten years since 1970. About an hour before she was shot, Zwerner also reportedly texted an unidentified individual that the student claimed to have a gun and that administrators were not helping. 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Newport News police released a statement on Gwynn's behalf clarifying that other charges were still possible. We grieve alongside all of the other teachers, families and administrators for how this horrific incident has impacted them, our community, and the nation. This timeline will be updated as more information is released. shooting, Richneck 5th grader threatens to 'pop some bullets' at school: Administration. We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives., Since the shooting, the statement added, the boy has been in a hospital receiving the treatment he needs.. View WAVYs full coverage of the shooting at Richneck Elementaryhere. Additionally, school assistant principal Dr. Ebony Parker resigned before the school re-opened, and the school district superintendent George Parker III was voted out effective February 1. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Tides top Charlotte 5-4 on Negro League tribute night, Teachers license revoked after video shows she forced, Whats new on July 1? Andrea Hogg, the parent of an eighth grader in the district, asked the school board about their new initiatives. Daniel W. Webster, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies gun violence, agreed that a 6-year-old shooting a teacher at school is extremely unusual. Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn confirmed to News 3 that aggravated assault charges would not be filed against the 6-year-old student. The student hours are 9:05am- [19] Zwerner later resigned on June 13, 2023. NNPS hosted a virtual town hall for Richneck Elementary School parents. Whether it was properly secured is a key element in the investigation, he has said. "Metal detectors are a great idea. Drew said the teacher took a defensive position by raising her hand. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Drew said his department handed over the full investigative report to the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. He said Saturday that he's only aware of three other shootings caused by 6-year-old students in the time period he's studied. He also would not comment on how the boy got access to the gun or who owns the weapon. A Virginia 6-year-old shot a teacher at Richneck Elementary School on Friday, according to police. "We already have a teacher shortage and a bus driver shortage. hide caption. NNPS spokesperson Michelle Price said all Newport News middle and high schools were now equipped with metal detectors. NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - The Newport News Police Department responded to Richneck Elementary School for reports of a teacher shot on Jan. 6. Newport News prosecutors also asked a Circuit Court judge to impanel a "special grand jury" to "continue the investigation into any security issues that may have contributed to this shooting.". "A 6 year old gaining access to a loaded gun and shooting him/herself or someone else, sadly, is not so rare," he said in an email. Our Mission: The staff and community of Richneck Elementary School believe that all children can achieve academic success and become productive citizens. Zwerner, 25 at the time of the shooting, was in her classroom at Richneck Elementary School the afternoon of January 6 when her student shot her. Students at this school are making average academic progress from one grade to the next compared to students at other schools in the state. If he has significant behaviors, then he should have had a one-on-one aide escorting him to school, said Howard. When you have kids with complex disabilities, and every child with a disability is not the same, and we try to take a cookie cutter approach, it doesnt work, he said. No gun was found in the backpack. The police chief declined to discuss what contact investigators have had with the boy's parents. A second teacher went to a school administrator at 12:30 pm, saying the teacher had taken it upon herself to search the student's backpack. Board members voted 5-1. PUBLIC STATMENT ISSUED BY FORMER RICHNECK PRINCIPAL. The boy's mother was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and allowing access to a loaded firearm by children.[32]. NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) For the first time, the family of a six-year-old accused of shooting his first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News on January 6 has issued. [17] In a later interview in March 2023, Zwerner stated that the bullet went through her left hand, and ruptured multiple bones in her hand, before striking her in the chest. SchoolDigger Rank: 810th of 1,109 Virginia Elementary Schools. Attendees spoke openly about gun violence in their communities and brainstormed possible solutions. School officials said metal detectors would be placed in all Newport News schools. ABBY ZWERNER SPEAKS PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME. In addition, a 6-year-old is too young to be committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice if found guilty. 67 posts. There was no timeline given during the two-hour school board meeting for when students at Richneck Elementary would go back to class. "We did not have a situation where someone was going around the school shooting," Drew told reporters. School officials already announced last week that metal detectors would be placed on campus. 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School. The shooting at Richneck Elementary School was the third on school grounds in Newport News in 18 months. Richneck Elementary We are a K-5 elementary school located in Newport News, VA. We are so proud of our scholars! [4] The NNPS Leadership Team, the Student Conduct and Discipline Office and the police department have been notified," Lynch said in the letter. View this post on InstagramA post shared by WTKR News 3 (@wtkr3). Parents, teachers and community members made their frustrations known at a Newport News, Virginia, school board meeting Tuesday night after a 6-year-old student intentionally shot his first grade teacher during class earlier this month. 100 followers. Its being thoroughly investigated.. The first-grade teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student at the Virginia school has resigned from her position, school officials said Tuesday, June 13, more than two months after she sued the district for $40 million. Brittaney Gregory, whose son is in the same class as the shooter at Richneck elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, detailed her sons reaction to the shocking scene to the Washington Post newspaper. She was going to confiscate it, and thats when he shot, Gregory told the Post. Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew shared the following details during the conference: Additionally, Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones commended the police for doing an "amazing" job responding to the situation. RICHNECK STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM. March 8, 2023, 3:07 PM 1:35 A Newport News police officer directs traffic at Richneck Element.Read More John C. Clark/AP, FILE A local prosecutor said Wednesday that he won't charge the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting a teacher at his Virginia elementary school. Winged aphids, Suspected gunman in Texas shooting that killed 5, The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesnt, Back-to-back hurricanes more likely to happen: Study, Al-Qaida chiefs pattern of life was key to death, Bike tours raising awareness for bone marrow registry, 180 days in jail possible for ski pass fraud, Pilot, passenger walk away from plane crash on E-470, Watch: 4 mountain lions prowl Colorado neighborhood, Hospital bills $847 facility fee for Zoom call, Good Samaritan helps rescue kids from icy pond, Whats next in unprecedented case of truck driver. Could new DNA tech crack the JonBenet Ramsey case? NNPS hosted a press conference and provided security updates following the shooting at Richneck Elementary School. US: Six-Year-Old Student Shoots Teacher After Altercation Inside Classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Virginia; Arrested. She has worked diligently and compassionately to support our family as we sought the best education and learning environment for our son, said the family. The single bullet went through her hand and entered her chest. A fourth employee asked an administrator for permission to search the boy and was denied, Toscano said. The commonwealths attorneys office will determine if the childs mother will face charges, Chief Drew added. At about 2 p.m., the authorities. Her employment with NNPS ended on June 12 - the last day of her contract, according to the spokesperson. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon," Parker said in a video reviewed by NBC News. Police Chief Steve Drew said the shooting was not accidental and was part of an altercation but didn't elaborate further. Officers monitored him inside and outside of the police car. (Billy Schuerman/Virginian-Pilot/AP) The mother of . Robot vacuums make life easier. The parents of the 6-year-old student released their first statement since the shooting. Chief Drew told News 3 the 6-year-old assaulted two staff members the day of the shooting. [22] The boy was not charged with murder due to his age, though his uncle was convicted of manslaughter. She was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, but is now recovering. "I'm taking off work, my husband's taking off of work and I'm one of the lucky families here to have family nearby to help take care of my kid because everyone failed this teacher," she said. We have been cooperating with local and federal law enforcement to understand how this could have happened. As details continue to come in, we take a look at what's known. We thank her for her courage, grace and sacrifice. Metal detectors will also be installed in the school system's elementary and early childhood centers, but that effort was delayed due to shipping issues. Sypolt said her son was traumatized by the situation at his elementary school. But he said his research shows that instances of young children accessing loaded guns and shooting themselves or others unintentionally in homes or other settings are rising. In 2021, the student allegedly came from behind his teacher, locked his forearms around her neck, and pulled her backward; he was subsequently moved to a different school. She has worked diligently and compassionately to support our family as we sought the best education and learning environment for our son. Richneck families were invited to attend, and they received registration links prior to the town hall. 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", On February 16, 2023, another six-year-old child took a gun to a school in Virginia. On March 27, 2023, a mass school shooting occurred at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian Church in America parochial elementary school in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee.Aiden Hale (born Audrey Elizabeth Hale), a transgender man and former student of the school, killed three nineyearold children and three adults before being shot and killed by two Metropolitan . The school was equipped with metal detectors at the time of the shooting, which were randomly used to screen students. She was seriously injured. ", SCHOOL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE RICHNECK WILL OPEN JAN. 30. Reportedly the teacher was told to "wait out the situation" as "the school day was almost over," while another school employee was denied permission to search the student and his belongings. [23], On January 25, Zwerner's attorney, Diane Toscano, stated that they intended to file a lawsuit regarding multiple failures by the administration to respond to concerns that the student had a gun on the school campus. Zwerners twin sister set up aGoFundMe accountto help with her recovery. METAL DETECTORS INSTALLED IN ALL NEWPORT NEWS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. School, Vigil aims to lift up teacher in hospital after shooting, Major shakeup in leadership at Richneck Elementary School, Parents say gun son used in Richneck shooting was secured, CNU dedicate basketball game to Richneck Elementary, 2 more lawsuits filed against Newport News schools after Richneck Elem. The statement also said the boy suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day., Additionally, our son has benefitted from an extensive community of care that also includes his grandparents working alongside us and other caregivers to ensure his needs and accommodations are met. When they entered the classroom, they found a 6-year-old child being physically restrained by a school employee. A civil suit was drafted and was ready to file on behalf of Abby Zwerner, according to her lawyer Diane Toscano. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Rep. Bobby Scott hosted a roundtable with school and community leaders following the shooting at Richneck Elementary School. Academic Progress. Still, school shootings by a . ", She continued, "Teachers need to feel safe going to work. Michele Mitchell, who served as executive director of student advancement at the time, was chosen to serve as interim superintendent. We will choose appropriate strategies to help all children learn in a safe, orderly and inviting environment. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In April 2023, she was indicted on one state felony charge for child neglect, and one misdemeanor charge of allowing access to firearms by children, for which she could face up to six years incarceration. All rights reserved. Zwerner, 25, had injuries described as life-threatening but she is now continuing to improve in the hospital. Board member Gary Hunter was the only one to vote against Parker's removal. It is almost impossible to wrap our minds around the fact that a six-year-old first-grader brought a loaded handgun to our school and shot a teacher; however, this is exactly what our community is grappling with today. Richneck Elementary has been closed for nearly two weeks following the shooting. According to school spokesperson Michelle Price, Richneck Elementary School's Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker had resigned. TIMELINE: Teacher talking again after being shot by 6-year-old Newport. We have found there are no easy answers or simple explanations, but we would like to share additional facts previously unknown to the public in hopes that they may ease the dissonance we are all grappling with and prevent something like this from happening again. [3] Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin shared his belief that Virginia had "some of the toughest gun laws in the nation" and spoke of a need for harsher criminal sentencing and improved mental health care. Jones declined to release additional details Saturday about what led to the altercation, citing the ongoing police investigation. "I immediately contacted the students parent and excluded the student from school. Virginia law does not allow 6-year-olds to be tried as adults. [11] Zwerner later told reporters that she remembers the student pointing the gun at her, the look on his face and the gun going off. He said it sounds like this student qualified for whats called an Individualized Education Program, or an IEP. On January 6, 2023, American school teacher Abby Zwerner was seriously injured when a six-year-old male student shot her while she was teaching in her classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. Zwerner, 25, of Williamsburg, was shot in the chest and is now recovering at home. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, in an interview with Hampton, Virginia, ABC affiliate WVEC, a shooting killed 19 students and two teachers. Toscano announced her plans to file a lawsuit against Newport News Public School on Zwerner's behalf. The week of the shooting was the first week when we were not in class with him. Police believe a 6-year-old student. Green t-shirts were sold, with proceeds benefiting Abby Zwerner. 205 Tyner Drive. Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children. NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - A 6-year-old student is in custody following a shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News Friday afternoon that sent a first grade teacher to the. Winged aphids, Suspected gunman in Texas shooting that killed 5, The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesnt, Back-to-back hurricanes more likely to happen: Study, Al-Qaida chiefs pattern of life was key to death, Bike tours raising awareness for bone marrow registry, 180 days in jail possible for ski pass fraud, Pilot, passenger walk away from plane crash on E-470, Watch: 4 mountain lions prowl Colorado neighborhood, Hospital bills $847 facility fee for Zoom call, Good Samaritan helps rescue kids from icy pond, Whats next in unprecedented case of truck driver. School Board Chair Lisa-Surles Law said roses were handed out to the students, and all parents were allowed to walk their children to their classrooms. Events. Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, The U.S. is uniquely terrible at protecting children from gun violence, The dealer that sold the gun used in the Oxford High School shooting is being sued. Her lawyer said that she planned to plead guilty to the charges as part of a plea deal. Zwerner, 25, was hailed as a hero by police, who said that after she was intentionally shot and seriously wounded in a hand and her chest, she still managed to safely escort about 20 students out of her first grade class at Richneck. [12], Immediately after being shot, Zwerner escorted all of her students out of the classroom and away from the shooter[13] while another staff member, according to police, restrained the shooter until police took him into juvenile detention. "She was frustrated because she was trying to get help with this child, for this child, and then when she needed help, no one was coming. The school re-opened with additional safety measures in the form of two permanent school division security officers, two metal detectors, doors installed in previously open areas, and all students receiving clear backpacks. .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}37923N 763125W / 37.15639N 76.52361W / 37.15639; -76.52361. Everybody had to get their cars, and they had to drive over to the church. The Virginia school teacher shot by her six-year-old student was injured after she sought to confiscate the weapon from the child who had revealed the gun in class, a parent of another child in the class has said. Since this incident, our son has been under hospital care and receiving the treatment he needs. Mere weeks after a domestic . Her sentencing was scheduled for October 18. She was released from the hospital last week. Zwerner first went to a school administrator between 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and said the student had threatened to beat up a classmate, Toscano said. Principal Newton said not all students were able to access their coats and backpacks during parent pickup on the day of the shooting, and they could retrieve their belongings at the school on Tuesday. She had registered that the room was no longer safe for her students and escorted them out. [27], In June 2023, the shooter's mother was charged in federal court with making a false statement while buying a gun and of using marijuana while in possession of a handgun. Read on for more. ", Sypolt, who works as a special education teacher in another school district, noted that the shooting "didn't happen because Ms. Zwerner wasn't doing everything that she could to provide support to her students. So who's gonna watch the metal detectors? Students who attend Richneck Elementary usually attend: Middle: Our heart goes out to our sons 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. The source said Tuesday that Abigail Zwerner sent the text about an hour before she was shot on Jan. 6, saying that the student said he had a gun in his backpack and that administrators at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News weren't helping. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Tides top Charlotte 5-4 on Negro League tribute night, Teachers license revoked after video shows she forced, Whats new on July 1? News 3 learned about two additional lawsuits being filed against Newport News Schools regarding the Richneck shooting. The foundation said that instead they would be working directly with Zwerner and her lawyer to oversee the grant. $264.45. The text "showed her frustration," said the source, who disclosed details of only the single text message to NBC News and not the messages that came before or after it. Residents of Newport News hold a candlelight vigil in honor of Richneck Elementary School first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner at the School Administration Building in Newport News, Va., Jan. 9, 2023. They were cleared to enter the building one minute later and made contact with Zwerner by 2:09 p.m. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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richneck elementary school shooting
