Mother Of 6-Year-Old Boy Who Shot His Teacher Faces Prison Sentencing
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
3:10 PM – Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The mother of a six-year-old boy who shot his first-grade elementary school teacher, Abby Zwerner, is set to be sentenced and could potentially face prison time for using marijuana while being in possession of a firearm.
Deja Taylor, the mother, is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, according to officials.
On January 6th, Taylor’s son took her handgun to school at Richneck Elementary in Virginia and shot his first-grade teacher, Zwerner, in the classroom, leaving her severely wounded.
Zwerner was shot in the hand and chest and needed four separate surgeries, according to her legal team.
After the shooting, the child told a reading specialist who assessed him, “I shot that (expletive) dead,” and “I got my mom’s gun last night,” according to search warrants.
Less than two weeks after the shooting, investigators searched Taylor’s home and discovered an ounce of marijuana in her bedroom and proof of frequent drug use in her cell phone messaging history.
Court documents state that agents found marijuana and a box of ammunition in Taylor’s home, along with several other items. They also discovered marijuana when they searched Taylor’s mother’s residence, where Taylor was staying at the time.
According to documents, Taylor lied on the ATF form she completed when purchasing the firearm, claiming “she was not an unlawful user of marijuana or other controlled substances.”
“Federal prosecutors in Virginia asserted in court filings that Taylor’s “chronic, persistent and … life-affecting abuse extends this case far beyond any occasional and/or recreational use.”
“This case is not a marijuana case,” the federal prosecutors wrote. “It is a case that underscores the inherently dangerous nature and circumstances that arise from the caustic cocktail of mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm.”
In June, Taylor pleaded guilty in United States District Court to two federal firearm offenses, including using illegal drugs while owning a gun, and lying about her drug use when buying the gun.
According to court documents, Taylor’s attorneys stated they will request home confinement and probation. They maintained that Taylor should receive counseling for problems related to schizoaffective disorder, a condition whose symptoms are similar to those of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
“Ms. Taylor is deeply saddened, extremely despondent, and completely remorseful for the unintended consequences and mistakes that led to this horrible shooting,” Taylor’s attorneys said.
Her attorneys additionally mentioned that she needs treatment for marijuana addiction.
“Addiction is a disease and incarceration is not the cure,” her attorneys wrote.
Taylor’s guilty plea came nearly five months after the tragic shooting in January. She could serve a maximum sentence of 25 years for the two federal firearms charges. However, prosecutors pressed for 21 months in a “position on sentencing” document that was submitted last week. Taylor also entered a guilty plea to a state charge of child neglect, and her sentencing has been set for December.
Zwerner, 25, is suing the school system for $40 million, claiming administrations denied several warnings about the six-year-old boy possessing a gun.
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What legal consequences could Deja Taylor face for using marijuana while in possession of a firearm?
The case of the six-year-old boy who shot his first-grade elementary school teacher continues to make headlines. Now, the focus is shifting towards the mother of the child, Deja Taylor, who could potentially face prison time for using marijuana while in possession of a firearm.
Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, as confirmed by officials. This comes after her son took her handgun to Richneck Elementary School in Virginia on January 6th and shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, in the classroom, causing severe injuries.
According to Zwerner’s legal team, she was shot in the hand and chest and required four surgeries to address her wounds. The severity of the incident cannot be understated, and the repercussions are far-reaching.
Search warrants revealed that the child made disturbing statements to a reading specialist who assessed him after the shooting. He reportedly said, “I shot that (expletive) dead,” and revealed that he had obtained his mother’s gun the previous night.
Investigations into Taylor’s home were conducted less than two weeks after the incident, during which law enforcement discovered an ounce of marijuana in her bedroom. Additionally, evidence of frequent drug use was found in her cell phone messaging history.
Further search of Taylor’s residence resulted in the discovery of marijuana, ammunition, and other items. Similar findings were made at her mother’s residence, where Taylor was staying at the time.
Court documents highlight that Taylor lied on the ATF form she completed when purchasing the firearm. She falsely claimed that she was not an unlawful user of marijuana or other controlled substances.
Federal prosecutors in Virginia asserted in court filings that Taylor’s drug use was chronic, persistent, and life-affecting. They argue that her abuse extends the case beyond occasional or recreational use.
The situation surrounding this shooting is deeply troubling, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the severe consequences that can result from any negligence or illegal activity. The potential sentencing of Deja Taylor for using marijuana while in possession of a firearm underscores the need for accountability and the enforcement of laws surrounding gun control.
As the case progresses, it remains crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of students and educators in our schools. Measures must be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, and the importance of responsible firearm use must be emphasized to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
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