On January 6, 2023, the unthinkable happened. A 6-year-old boy shot his first grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. This horrific incident did not happen completely out of the blue, as this student allegedly had a history of violent and disruptive behavior.
Zwerner’s attorney, Diane Toscano, outlined the student’s disturbing behavior in a new notice sent to inform the school district of Zwerner's intent to sue. It states that the student constantly cursed out school staff and fellow students, whipped students with his belt, and choked another teacher.
The choking incident occurred in 2021 and was verified by the teacher involved. This teacher wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation. They felt the school district did not protect or support them.
“I didn’t feel safe the rest of the year because I knew if they didn’t protect me when he choked me and I couldn’t breathe, then they wouldn’t protect me, my kids or my colleagues if he did something not as harmful,” the teacher stated.
Another violent incident allegedly occurred just two days before the shooting. The student reportedly “slammed” Zwerner’s cellphone so hard it broke. He received a one-day suspension. When he returned, he brought a gun and shot Zwerner.
On the day of the shooting, multiple teachers and school staff members informed Assistant Principal Ebony Parker that the student had a gun. It is Zwerner’s belief that Parker's negligent actions led to her getting shot.
“If Assistant Principal (Ebony) Parker had acted on the information she was provided, then the shooting of Ms. Zwerner would not have happened,” stated the notice. “It is a miracle that more people were not harmed. The shooter spent his entire recess with a gun in his pocket, a gun that was loaded and ready to fire … while lots of first-grade students played.”
To learn more about the developments in this case, watch this video.
