Virginia family of 6-year-old who shot teacher says child has ‘acute disability’
Rachel Schilke
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The family of a 6-year-old that shot his teacher at an elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, issued a statement saying that their son suffers from an “acute disability” and a parent usually attends classes with him.
The child shot Richneck Elementary School teacher Abigail Zwerner, 25, one time on Jan. 6 while she was providing instruction to the class, using a gun that he brought from home. Newport News police have previously stated that they believe the shooting was intentional and there was no altercation between Zwerner and the boy to cause the shooting.
While no charges have been filed against the child or family at this time, the student was taken to a hospital for evaluation and placed under a temporary detention order.
The family said that, while their son’s privacy interests are important, they know that “transparency in this matter is a valid community interest.”
“Our son suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day,” the family said in a statement obtained by several media outlets from attorney James Ellenson, who is representing the family.
The family said the week that their child shot Zwerner was the first week when they were not in class with him.
“We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives,” the family said.
The student has been under medical care and receiving treatment, the family added.
“We continue to pray for his teacher’s full recovery, and for her loved ones who are undoubtedly upset and concerned,” the family said. “At the same time, we love our son and are asking that you please include him and our family in your prayers.”
The identity of the family and student has not yet been released. Police have not revealed how the student had access to the gun in the home, but the family said in the statement that the gun was “secured.” Police have confirmed that the gun was legally purchased by the student’s mother.
“Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children,” the family said.
However, questions remain from the community about how he had access to the gun and how the school failed to find it when he came into the building.
Virginia school officials said during a virtual town meeting last week that the student’s backpack had been searched upon his late arrival to school, after receiving a tip that he may have had a weapon. However, the weapon was not found during the search, Newport News Superintendent George Parker said.
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Richneck Elementary School is still not open for instruction, as the school works to modify and add safety procedures, including 90 metal detectors. The detectors will first be installed at Richneck Elementary, and then at every other school in the district, School Board Chairwoman Lisa Surles-Law said.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Ellenson for comment.