On January 6, Abigail Zwerner, a first grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, was shot by her 6-year-old student in the classroom. She survived and has been released from the hospital, but faces a long recovery.
Details of the incident are coming to light, and the shooting could have been avoided.
According to sources, the teacher sent a text to someone about an hour before she was shot. It said that the child had said he had a gun in his backpack and that the administrators at the school knew about it and did nothing.
On Wednesday, Zwerner’s attorney, Diane Toscano, told media at a news conference that three teachers told the school administration that they believed the child was carrying a gun. A student at the school said he saw the boy remove the gun and show it at recess.
And still the administration did nothing.
Zwerner’s attorney said the “administration could not be bothered” and that the shooting could have been avoided if the school had taken action when they were warned by several people that lives were in danger. She said instead, “They failed to act, and Abby was shot.”
The school system’s superintendent, George Parker III, was fired from his job effective February 1. At a virtual town hall meeting, he said the boy had come to school late and that his knapsack was inspected at the office, according to parents who viewed the virtual meeting.
The child’s family released a statement on January 19. They said that the child has an “acute disability,” and that the weapon he brought to school had been secured in the home. They said that the child’s disability requires that his mother or father must always attend school with him and accompany him to all his classes. They admitted that it was the first time they had not accompanied their child to school and they would always regret it.
According to Police Chief Steve Drew, the child’s mother had legally purchased the gun. He said that the boy brought the weapon to school in his backpack.
The family said they were cooperating with local and federal law enforcement. The parents have not been charged and the investigation is ongoing.
Zwerner’s attorney says her client will file a lawsuit.