The Superintendent of the Virginia school where a first grader killed his teacher, said that administrators discovered the child had a weapon before the shooting. However, they did not seize his 9mm handgun.
In an online meeting, George Parker, Superintendent of Schools, informed parents that the weapon was not discovered by the school before Richneck Elementary teacher Richneck in Newport News was shot.
According to a clip broadcast by WAVY_TV, the superintendent stated that at least one administrator had been notified about a possible weapon in the timeline we’re looking at.
WAVY-TV reported that the online meeting was only for parents, but WAVY-TV said that a parent had given access to the meeting.
Multiple messages to The Associated Press from the superintendent and a school spokesperson were not answered by either of them. The Associated Press was not immediately able to provide details about how and why they discovered the weapon. According to the police chief, the boy had brought the gun with him to school in his backpack.
Abigail Zwerner was 25 when she was shot in her chest. The injuries were initially thought to be serious. However, her condition has improved and she is now in stable condition at a hospital.
On Thursday, Newport News School Board Chair Lisa Surles Law stated that the district would install metal detectors in all schools, beginning with Richneck.
Zwerner was delivering her class when the Jan. 6 shooting took place. According to authorities, there was no struggle or warning before the 6-year old boy pointed the gun at Zwerner.
Chief Steve Drew, the police chief, has called the shooting intentional. The child is currently being held in a medical facility after an emergency custody order.
Drew claimed Drew used the gun his mother had legally purchased for him. It is not clear how the child gained access to this weapon. Virginia law forbids a loaded firearm from being accessible to children under 14. This is a misdemeanor.
