Virginia School Downplayed Teachers’ Warnings Before She Was Shot by 6-Year-Old Student

Newport News Elementary School officials. first-grade teacher was shot According to the Washington Post, her six-year-old son apparently dismissed previous complaints about boy from the teacher.

Abigail Zwerner, 25, reportedly raised concerns and requested help from school officials relating to the boy’s behavior, which apparently included a threat to light a teacher on fire and watch her die.

According to messages obtained from The Post by fellow teachers, the issue was deemed unimportant. 

Willow Crawford, left, her older sister Ava, and Kaylynn Vestre are joined by Kaylynn Vestre in supporting Abby Zwerner, Richneck Elementary School’s first grade teacher, at a candlelight ceremony in her honor at Newport News, Va.’s School Administration Building, Monday, January 9, 2023. 
(AP Photo/John C. Clark)

VIRGINIA MOM DETAILS MOMENTS THAT REPORTEDLY LED UP TO 6-YEAR-OLD SHOOTING TEACHER

 Zwerner was teaching a first-grade class when the boy pulled out a 9mm handgun owned by his mother and fired at her, hitting her first through her hand that she held up in a defensive posture and then in her upper chest.

The 25 year-old is now stable and has been praised by her for helping all her students get out of the classroom. 

Since then, Richneck Elementary School in Newport News has been criticized for how it handled the shooting that authorities deemed unacceptable. “intentional.”

Parent were already reportedly outraged Newport News Superintendent George Parker III claimed that the school had received information that the boy might have a gun, but that he had not found the weapon after searching his backpack. 

On Friday, January 6, Newport News, Virginia, police responded to a shooting at Richneck Elementary school.
(Billy Schuerman/The Virginian Pilot via AP

FAMILY OF 6-YEAR-OLD VIRGINIA STUDENT WHO SHOT HIS TEACHER BREAKS SILENCE, INSISTS GUN WAS SECURED

Steve Drew, Newport News Police chief, said that authorities were not alerted about the tip. 

Police and school officials have not answered questions relating to the boy’s behavior, and Fox News Digital could not reach Zwerner for comment. 

Following a detention notice earlier in the month, the investigation continues. The boy is currently being held in emergency custody at an emergency facility. 

The family of the student spoke out This week, the gun was fired for the first time. “secured” Before the boy took it to school. 

Newport News Superintendent George Parker and Steve Drew, Newport News Chief Police, answer questions about a teacher who was shot at Richneck Elementary School by an armed six year-old during a press conference held at the Newport News Public Schools Administration Building, Newport News, Va. on Monday, January 9, 2023. 
(Billy Schuerman/The Virginian Pilot via AP

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

“Our heart goes out to our son’s 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 child’s family said Thursday in a statement.

“Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children,” The statement was complete, but did not explain how it was. “secured.”

This report was contributed by Greg Norman and Pilar Arias

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases