VA- 6-YEAR-OLD is in custody after shooting teacher

[borndem]

I work with 4-5 year olds who have trauma/mental illnesses and this kind of thing is what makes me do back pack checks every morning. I get death threats pretty consistently through the day and I’ve only ever caught one weapon, a knife, but it’s so scary sometimes.

So glad to see that you check backpacks every morning. You just can't be too careful.
I would think that your students would be proud of you and feel safer for what you do each morning. If, OTOH, the checks deterred someone, that would be a victory as well -- at least in your school room. Keep up the good work.
Also hoping your children leave your class feeling better for the work you do with and for them.
Bless you for working with those special young, young students. A good way to start a child's education, and I'm sure the parents/caregivers are glad that you are their child's educator.

Having raised 7 kids and having 13 grands, I've been around a few 6 year olds.

Can a 6 year old child "intend" to shoot someone? Yes, 100%.
Does a 6 year old child fully understand what "shooting someone" actually means? Absolutely not.

Granted, a 6 year old kid living in the city playing video games has a completely different understanding of things than a 6 year old kid living in the country where farming and hunting may be commonplace (my own kids knew it was common for the pigs to be put down if they escaped the sterile conditions of the barn), but they still don't really understand it the way an adult does.

All of that aside, this has to come down on the people raising this child, and how he had access to both the gun and the ammo, and how he even knew how to load, or handle the gun. All of that comes right back to the adults in his life.

jmo

bbm
Absolutely. Without a doubt.
What was/is the situation in that child's life? SMH

Bless the teacher who thought only of the children in her classroom. Prayers for her to heal quickly.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Virginia school district where 6-year-old allegedly shot teacher has had 3 school-related shootings in 17 months

Newport News Public School needs to "adequately address" gun violence within the district, parents say.

www.nbcnews.com

The Virginia school district where a 6-year-old allegedly intentionally shot a teacher on Friday has had three instances of gun violence on district property in the past 17 months.

Police say a 6-year-old boy seriously injured a teacher at Richneck Elementary School when he opened fire in a classroom.

James Madison University identified the wounded teacher as Abby Zwerner, a graduate of the university. A person by the name Abigail Zwerner is listed on Richneck's website as a first-grade teacher.

University president Jonathan R. Alger said in a statement that the campus, nearly 200 miles northwest of Newport News, was “deeply saddened by the reported tragic shooting of JMU alumna Abby Zwerner.”

Newport News Public Schools and the city’s police department have declined to identify the teacher, based on privacy concerns...

 

[IceIce9]

I think that if this goes on, we will probably learn more about this child. Normal kids don't shoot teachers. This child probably had problems, and possibly a history of trauma.

You are correct, normal kids don’t shoot teachers. Also, responsible parents don’t allow their 6 years old children to have access to weapons.

 

[shotgun09]

Virginia school district where 6-year-old allegedly shot teacher has had 3 school-related shootings in 17 months

Newport News Public School needs to "adequately address" gun violence within the district, parents say.

www.nbcnews.com

The Virginia school district where a 6-year-old allegedly intentionally shot a teacher on Friday has had three instances of gun violence on district property in the past 17 months.

Police say a 6-year-old boy seriously injured a teacher at Richneck Elementary School when he opened fire in a classroom.

James Madison University identified the wounded teacher as Abby Zwerner, a graduate of the university. A person by the name Abigail Zwerner is listed on Richneck's website as a first-grade teacher.

University president Jonathan R. Alger said in a statement that the campus, nearly 200 miles northwest of Newport News, was “deeply saddened by the reported tragic shooting of JMU alumna Abby Zwerner.”

Newport News Public Schools and the city’s police department have declined to identify the teacher, based on privacy concerns...

From the article posted, and Snipped and BBM:

"It’s not clear at this time if the 6-year-old boy is still in custody or if he has an attorney.

Officials have yet to comment on where the child might have obtained the weapon, which police described as a handgun.

The Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "



Just my non professional and non verified opinion.....but this child more than likely didn't himself access a fully loaded weapon at a Gun show, nor did he purchase it legally ( he's 6 ) from the local Walmart or Cabelas. Duh!

IMO, Most people can surmise just " where the child may have obtained the weapon". Goodness

 

[Ontario Mom]

From the article posted, and Snipped and BBM:

"It’s not clear at this time if the 6-year-old boy is still in custody or if he has an attorney.

Officials have yet to comment on where the child might have obtained the weapon, which police described as a handgun.

The Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "



Just my non professional and non verified opinion.....but this child more than likely didn't himself access a fully loaded weapon at a Gun show, nor did he purchase it legally ( he's 6 ) from the local Walmart or Cabelas. Duh!

IMO, Most people can surmise just " where the child may have obtained the weapon". Goodness

While I agree on the one hand, on the other I think it's a mistake to assume anything really, since we don't even know this child's home life situation. Does he live with his parents? Foster child? Do the adults in the home have a locked gun safe he got into, or did they leave it on the side table? Did he swipe the gun from a friend's house? An older sibling? Did he find it on the way to school?

That part of the story has been kept quiet, for some reason. Obviously he didn't walk into a gun shop and buy it, but there are lots of different scenarios on how he could have gained access to it that may not include the parents being irresponsible. Just some food for thought.

 

[AngTxGal]

From the article posted, and Snipped and BBM:

"It’s not clear at this time if the 6-year-old boy is still in custody or if he has an attorney.

Officials have yet to comment on where the child might have obtained the weapon, which police described as a handgun.

The Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "



Just my non professional and non verified opinion.....but this child more than likely didn't himself access a fully loaded weapon at a Gun show, nor did he purchase it legally ( he's 6 ) from the local Walmart or Cabelas. Duh!

IMO, Most people can surmise just " where the child may have obtained the weapon". Goodness

I think PD will reveal where he got the gun when that person is in custody.
If they tip them off now, this adult may run.
Has anyone heard how the teacher is doing?

JMO

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I think PD will reveal where he got the gun when that person is in custody.
If they tip them off now, this adult may run.
Has anyone heard how the teacher is doing?

JMO

Virginia Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Is Improving: Mayor

Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said the condition of the teacher, a woman in her 30s, is “trending in a positive direction”

time.com

RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia teacher who was critically injured when she was shot by a 6-year-old student in Newport News is showing signs of improvement as authorities struggle to understand how a child so young could be involved in a school shooting, the city’s mayor said Saturday.

Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said the condition of the teacher, a woman in her 30s, is “trending in a positive direction” as she remains hospitalized...

 

[mickey2942]

You are correct, normal kids don’t shoot teachers. Also, responsible parents don’t allow their 6 years old children to have access to weapons.

Yes. Probably a lot of information is missing from this initial article. I hoped that the parents being arrested for the school shooting by their son, in Michigan would be a "wake up" notification to parents to keep guns secured from their children.

Adults should be held accountable for the use of their weapons by children. Get a trigger lock, keep ammunition locked up, store guns locked up, separate from ammunition. So many ways to secure a gun. Not sure why there are so many preventable incidents with children and guns.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

While I agree on the one hand, on the other I think it's a mistake to assume anything really, since we don't even know this child's home life situation. Does he live with his parents? Foster child? Do the adults in the home have a locked gun safe he got into, or did they leave it on the side table? Did he swipe the gun from a friend's house? An older sibling? Did he find it on the way to school?

That part of the story has been kept quiet, for some reason. Obviously he didn't walk into a gun shop and buy it, but there are lots of different scenarios on how he could have gained access to it that may not include the parents being irresponsible. Just some food for thought.

These are good questions, and I have many of my own. What reason would a 6-year-old have to shoot his teacher? Did the child dislike the teacher? Did the child's parents or guardians dislike the teacher? Had there been a misunderstanding involving the teacher and child or the teacher and the parents/guardians? Were the parents or guardians aware that the child had the gun in his backpack? Did they have knowledge of their son wanting to harm his teacher? I don't know if a 6-year-old child can form "intent" to harm or kill a teacher, but what reason did the child have for wanting to do just that? JMO

 

[Tealgrove]

How do you put a 6 year old child in custody? I mean, where would he be? Who would be looking after him? My brain can’t comprehend a 6 year planning to shoot his teacher.

What kind of a world are we living in?

This is horrific!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

How do you put a 6 year old child in custody? I mean, where would he be? Who would be looking after him? My brain can’t comprehend a 6 year planning to shoot his teacher.

What kind of a world are we living in?

This is horrific!

In my county in Michigan, we have Oakland County Children's Village. This is a facility that cares for youth and teens who are involved with the court system. Presumably, there is some type of facility like this in Virginia where the child is being held for his safety and that of the community. JMO

| About

www.oakgov.com

 

[mickey2942]

There are facilities for juveniles, with mandatory on site school attendance. Probably a secured "pod" type, with individual rooms that can be secured. And don't make the mistake of thinking this is a "normal" six year old child. He/she isn't...(I am assuming the child is male, 95% likely). I wouldn't even want this kid to have access to a plastic fork.

 

[Stunned]

How do you put a 6 year old child in custody? I mean, where would he be? Who would be looking after him? My brain can’t comprehend a 6 year planning to shoot his teacher.

What kind of a world are we living in?

This is horrific!

Right? Do they have a special place to put 6 year old shooters? How would you talk to him/her? I hope softly, gently and kindly. Like you would any 6 year old? Poor child, poor teacher, poor witnesses.
Edited to add that I know this is not normal. But still 6……. Still a baby, WTH happened?

 

[Tealgrove]

There are facilities for juveniles, with mandatory on site school attendance. Probably a secured "pod" type, with individual rooms that can be secured. And don't make the mistake of thinking this is a "normal" six year old child. He/she isn't...(I am assuming the child is male, 95% likely). I wouldn't even want this kid to have access to a plastic fork.

Oh I know this child isn’t “normal”.

I think it was just the wording that a 6 year old child was in custody and all I could see was a little kid in a jail cell. Yikes.

This case is exceptionally disturbing.

Have his parents/guardians been detained?

 

[Mojito]

An internet search of the first documented school shootings tells me that they technically started occuring in the 1800's. It did happen back when we were kids.

When I was little a kid that lived by me was shot in the head and killed by his friend. Friend said it was an accident. No charges. I think they were 11 or 12. I was much younger, don't remember details.

 

[Mojito]

In 2008 an 8 year old boy shot and killed his father and fathers friend. Yes very young kids can and do intentionally shoot to kill for various reasons. St. Johns boy killed his father when he was 8. Now his probation is ending as he turns 18


I personally know a 4 year old boy that could totally shoot a teacher or anyone else he's mad at. He knows how to hold a gun and how to point it and pull the trigger. He knows way too much about illegal things. CPS has investigated the family but has done nothing imo because the entire community lives like this. Tiny town... population under 3000. Probably half the kids should be removed from their parents imo.
I've known him since he was born. The reason this particular little boy is the way he is is because of his parenting. Both parents are terrible examples and encourage him to be "tough" like them. They want him to be able to survive the streets I suppose. At 2 years old he would tell people to "F*&k off B*&%h!". He has zero rules and is out of control, at 4. And the parents think it's great. They laugh at how bad he is. The worse the better. Sadly I tried to be a Godparent to him and he respects me but there is no hope for the little guy.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Oh I know this child isn’t “normal”.

I think it was just the wording that a 6 year old child was in custody and all I could see was a little kid in a jail cell. Yikes.

This case is exceptionally disturbing.

Have his parents/guardians been detained?

We don't even know at this point if this child lived with his parents. Really, we don't know anything other than he shot his teacher, and she's stable (thank God) and appears to be improving. That's basically all the MSM is releasing at this time (last I checked, anyway).

 

[Mojito]

Re

We don't even know at this point if this child lived with his parents. Really, we don't know anything other than he shot his teacher, and she's stable (thank God) and appears to be improving. That's basically all the MSM is releasing at this time (last I checked, anyway).

Indeed, Thank God this teacher will live. Whew.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I really believe unless he was walking by himself to school and just happened upon a loaded gun on the way, his caregivers are absolutely responsible for what's in his backpack.

He could have killed himself, another child, or the teacher.

I believe it extremely unlikely he found the gun on the way to school. I truly hope whichever adults failed him and his classmates and teacher have to face justice for it. The victims' trauma could haunt them for years or maybe life. IMO.

 

[Lusitana]

Why does a 6-year-old have access to a gun? Why?