Last Updated on January 21, 2023
A six-year-old who shot his teacher reportedly told another educator that he wanted to set her on fire and watch her die, according to a report from the Washington Post. Despite the violent threats, school administrators reportedly ignored complaints from teachers and told them to drop the issue.
Last month, the child acted out on his threats and shot his first-grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. The boy reportedly pulled out a 9mm pistol that belonged to his mother and shot Zwerner twice. The first bullet struck her hand while a second bullet struck her upper chest.
Despite her injuries, Zwerner evacuated her students from the classroom while another school employee restrained the boy. After evacuating her students, Zwerner collapsed and was rushed to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Thankfully, the 25-year-old is now in stable condition and is expected to survive.
The Virginia teacher shot by a 6-year-old student repeatedly asked administrators for help but officials downplayed warnings about his behavior, including dismissing his threat to light a teacher on fire and watch her diehttps://t.co/WMc9a80gvL
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 21, 2023
Administrators at Richneck Elementary School are now facing criticism over accusations that they failed to act on warnings from Zwerner and other teachers about the boy’s murderous threats.
According to the Washington Post, Zwerner asked for support with the boy and raised the alarm over his threats and behaviors in an email to Newport News Superintendent George Parker III. The child, who was known to throw furniture and other objects in the classroom, once wrote a note to a teacher stating that he hated her and wanted to set her on fire.
When the teacher brought the note to school administrators, she was reportedly told to drop the issue.
In another incident, the boy barricaded his teacher and fellow inside their classroom. The door was only able to be opened after Zwerner repeatedly banged on the door, alerting a colleague across the hall.
Following the shooting — which took place without warning — Parker revealed that at least one school official had been alerted the boy may have brought a weapon to school hours before the shooting. A weapon was not found upon searching the boy’s backpack, however, the Newport News superintendent stated.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew has announced that an investigation into the shooting, which has been classified as “intentional,” is ongoing.
It is unclear whether the boy’s parents will face criminal charges at this time. In their first public statement on the incident this past Thursday, the boy’s parents claimed that the firearm was “secured.”
“Our heart goes out to our son’s teacher and we pray for her healing in the aftermath of such an unimaginable tragedy as she selflessly served our son and the children in the school,” the family said. The statement also noted that the boy suffers from an “acute disability,” adding that he has been under hospital care since the shooting and is getting “the treatment he needs.”
