NEWPORT NEWS, VA - JAN 30: Officers on site as students begin to arrive for their first day back at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va., on Monday, January 30, 2023. The school has been closed following an incident earlier this month involving a 6-year-old bringing a gun to school and shooting his teacher. (Photo by Kristen Zeis for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The six-year-old student who shot a first-grade Virginia teacher on January 6 will reportedly not face charges, according to WTKR. The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. that day, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, as previously reported by The Shade Room.
Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn confirmed to WTKR that charges, indeed, will not be filed against the 6-year-old boy who shot first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner.
Gynn further explained the decision during a phone call with the news outlet.
We do not believe the law supports charging and convicting a 6-year-old with aggravated assault.
Vonda Pendleton has a grandson that attends Richneck Elementary School. She explained to the outlet that the shooting event has been hard for the whole community to process.
[It’s] really unbelievable. It has affected, not only the instructors and the teachers and the whole school, but the whole community.
Additionally, the decision not to charge the 6-year-old for the shooting leaves Pendleton with more questions.
Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn explained to the outlet what the case’s focus is now.
Prosecutorial efforts are focused on determining what the facts are, applying those facts to the law, and determining if we can charge anyone with a crime we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
As The Shade Room previously reported, the 6-year-old student brought a 9 mm handgun from his home on January 6. It was reported that 1st-grade teacher Abby Zwerner attempted to confiscate the gun from the child when he intentionally shot her.
Zwerner was listed in stable but “serious condition” after the shooting and was reportedly hospitalized for two weeks.
A few weeks after the shooting the 6-year-old’s family spoke out saying their child had an “acute disability.” Additionally, the family was unsure of how the child got ahold of the weapon.
Since the shooting, two metal detection systems have been installed at Richneck Elementary School. Additionally, two security officers have been assigned there as well.
