A 6-year-old first-grader at an elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, shot a teacher Friday afternoon during an altercation in a classroom, authorities said, leaving her with “life-threatening” injuries and renewing parental calls for senior. safety and supervision in the classroom.
The 6-year-old shot Abigail Zwerner, 30, a first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School. She was rushed to Riverside Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after the incident.
VIRGINIA POLICE SAY A 6-YEAR-OLD STUDENT SHOT A TEACHER AT NEWPORT NEWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Abby Zwerner was shot in the abdomen Friday by a 6-year-old student who had brought a gun to school. The 30-year-old teacher remained in critical condition until Saturday morning when police shared that she was in “stable” condition after the altercation.
(Facebook/Abby Zwerner)
Police respond to a shooting at Richneck Elementary School, Friday, January 6, 2023, in Newport News, Virginia.
(Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Prior to Friday’s incident at Richneck Elementary School, there have been shootings at two other schools within the Newport News Public Schools system that have rocked the community over the past 17 months.
In September 2021, a 16-year-old fired multiple shots in a busy hallway inside Heritage High School during the lunch hour, wounding two 17-year-olds.
In December 2021, 18-year-old Demari Batten fatally shot 17-year-old Justice Dunham in the parking lot of Menchville High School after a football game, also within the Newport News Public Schools system.
According to the district website. Newport News Public Schools consists of 26,500 students and includes 24 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and five high schools. Richneck Elementary School has about 550 students who are in kindergarten through fifth grade.
At a news conference Friday, Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. George Parker said “we need to keep guns out of the reach of our young people.”
Some agreed, calling on the state and federal governments to enact stronger gun laws to keep firearms out of the reach of children.
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Others called for the district to place metal detectors at the school, post police personnel inside schools and even require students to bring clear backpacks to school.
“How many shootings and incidents does it take to start using metal detectors at every school, every entrance, every day, 24/7, no exceptions.” Riri Mimi wrote. “Issue a clear backpack policy AND put armed school resource officers at EVERY school.”
“What is your plan to stop this drama? Set up metal detectors at the school!” said Hanan Daoud, who has children within the school district.
A shooting in a classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, occurred Friday after an altercation between a student and a teacher, authorities said.
(Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Richneck Elementary School will be closed Monday and Tuesday in response to the latest shooting.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew met with Zwerner and his family Saturday morning, according to a statement released by police Saturday afternoon.
“She has improved and is currently in stable condition,” police said in the statement. “Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we will not be releasing any further information at this time.”
Richneck Principal Briana Foster Newton said in a statement: “My heart aches for our school community. The tragic event that occurred on Friday deeply impacts all of us,” she said. “My thoughts and prayers remain with our teacher who was seriously injured, and our students and staff, who are dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy.”
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On Friday, Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed his condolences to the Newport News community, saying, “My administration has offered assistance in response to the shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News and stands ready to assist in any way we can. I continue to monitor the situation and pray for the continued safety of all students and the community.”
