Posted on by Randy Slovacek

Mother Charged In Case Of 6-Year-Old VA Student Who Shot Teacher

The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his first grade teacher in Virginia in January has been charged criminally in connection to the incident.
Richneck Elementary in Virginia (screen capture)

The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his first grade teacher in Virginia in January has been charged criminally in connection to the incident.

A special grand jury will also be convened to consider whether others should also be held accountable for the shooting.

From the Washington Post:

Deja Taylor, 25, of Newport News, is facing one felony count of child neglect and one misdemeanor count of recklessly storing a firearm so a child could gain access to it.

The weapon the boy used belonged to Taylor, authorities have said. If convicted, Taylor faces up to five years in prison on the felony and up to a one-year sentence on the misdemeanor.

Howard Gwynn, the Newport News commonwealth’s attorney, said in a statement he also has asked a judge to impanel a special grand jury to continue to probe any “security issues” that “may have contributed to this shooting,” suggesting that the conduct of administrators or others who allegedly failed to act after being warned the boy had a weapon would be further scrutinized.

The first grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, filed a $40 million lawsuit last week accusing the school’s former assistant principal, former principal and former superintendent of gross negligence.

Even after being shot, Zwerner led her students out of the classroom before heading to the office, where she collapsed.

The boy’s family has previously said that the weapon was “secured” in the home and that they have “always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children.” And yet…it was not.

Read the full article here.