Teacher Shot By 6-Year-Old Reportedly Texted Warning To Loved One That Child Was Armed. No School Officials Came.

Hank BerrienJanuary 25, 2023

Abigail Zwerner was a Virginia teacher in the first grade who was attacked by her six-year old student. She reportedly sent a text message to a loved one prior to the shooting revealing that her child had a gun and that school officials had not responded to her pleas for assistance.

A source told NBC News that the text from Zwerner stated the boy’s backpack carried a gun and administrators at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News weren’t coming to her aid.

“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,” According to the source.

On Wednesday, Diane Toscano, Zwerner’s attorney, announced she will file a lawsuit against the Newport News School Division.

Zwerner’s lawyer, Diane Toscano, stated that Newport News School Division was notified by Zwerner that she plans to sue the school. pic.twitter.com/eQ9nK7m6Gj

— Kelsey Kendall (@KelseyKSU) January 25, 2023

The boy was allegedly a minor at the time of the shooting. told another educator He wanted Zwerner to be set ablaze so he could watch her die.

“Anything that has been reported to our school leadership team in regards to concerns at Richneck from teachers and staff members is part of the investigation. It’s being thoroughly investigated,” Michelle Price, spokesperson Newport News Public Schools said.

Virginia 6 year old stole mom’s gun to shoot teacher. Are parents likely to be charged? https://t.co/7XD2mXoolc #Abigail Zwerner #Abby Zwerner #Newport News Shooting #AbbyZwerner #Richneck Elementary School pic.twitter.com/90UajbLB7Y

— Scallywagandvagabond (@ScallywagNYC) January 10, 2023

George Parker III (Director of Newport News School Division), stated After the January 6 shooting virtual village hall, the boy came to school late. His book bag was checked when he signed in. “At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon.”

Newport News police spokesperson claimed that police had confirmed “a school employee was notified of a possible firearm at Richneck Elementary before the shooting occurred,” adding, “The Newport News Police Department was not notified of this information prior to the incident.”

Zwerner sustained injuries that were described as life-threatening at time of shooting.

“She was going to confiscate it, and that’s when he shot,” The mother of one child in class shared her story The Washington Post.

The ex-director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice mentioned what he called the “infancy defense” It is possible that the child could be charged if he or she is in custody of the police.

“As a practical matter, it would be next to impossible to prosecute a 6-year-old, no matter how serious,” Andrew Block said so to the Post. “The bigger barrier, presuming the prosecution could overcome that, is all defendants have to be competent to stand trial. That means you have to understand the nature of legal proceedings against you and assist in your own defense. There’s no way a 6-year-old would meet that criteria.”

A parent of a student in the first grade told The Daily Mail Zwerner “screamed at her kids to run away” After being shot. Sebastian Gonzalez-Hernandez continued, “Even after she’d been shot she was thinking about the safety of her children. My son didn’t see what happened; he heard the gunshot go off, and turned around to see Miss Zwerner on the floor.”

“She is an amazing teacher, so dedicated,” He concluded. “My son absolutely loves her, and we’re devastated about what’s happened. We are all thinking of her and hoping that she gets better soon.”