Virginia prosecutors are focusing their criminal investigation on the elementary school where first-grade teacher Abby Zwarner was shot dead by a six-year-old earlier this year.
Newport News State Attorney Howard Gwynn has petitioned a special grand jury to investigate whether a “security failure” was involved in the Jan. 6, 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School. submitted. She still has bullet fragments in her chest and said she has had several surgeries on her hands.
Prosecutors are looking into whether the “act or omission” of school personnel could lead to criminal charges, according to court documents released Tuesday. I hope it doesn’t happen,” wrote that an investigation could lead to recommendations.
Gwynn’s petition was released a day after his office charged the boy’s mother, Deja Taylor, with misdemeanor charges of felony neglect and endangering a child through reckless storage of a firearm. The child shot Zwerner with his mother’s 9 mm pistol. Police say the weapons were purchased legally. The juvenile has not been charged.
Virginia mom of 6 who shot teacher charged in connection with shooting
Abby Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old student on January 6th. (Facebook/Abby Zwerner)
“Federal attorneys also petitioned the Circuit Court to appoint a special grand jury to continue investigating security issues that may have been involved in the shooting,” the official said in a statement Monday. “Under Virginia law, a grand jury’s work must be confidential, and their investigation will continue as long as necessary to determine whether the January 6 shooting is criminally responsible.”
Virginia Teacher Attorney, 6-Year-Old Boy Filed $40 Million Lawsuit
Students and police gather outside Richneck Elementary School after the January 6, 2023 shooting in Newport News, Virginia. Teacher Abby Zwerner says school administrators ignored warning signs before a 6-year-old shot her in class. (Billy Schuerman / Virginian Pilot via AP)
“The safety and security of Newport News students is paramount. A special grand jury will investigate to determine whether additional charges against additional persons are justified by facts and law,” Gwin said. “Additional indictments may be remanded if the special grand jury determines that additional persons are criminally liable under the law.”
Last week, Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school system, accusing school officials of gross negligence and multiple allegations from teachers and other school officials that the boy had gone to school with a gun on the day of the shooting. accused of ignoring the warning.
Police watch students return to Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, January 30, 2023. Prosecutors are investigating whether school administrators should be prosecuted after a teacher was shot in a class by a first grader. (Billy Schuerman / Virginian Pilot via AP)
Zwerner also alleges school officials knew the boy was “randomly violent” at school and at home, including “choking and strangling” his kindergarten teacher.
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Zwarner’s attorney, Diane Toscano, said Monday, “Our lawsuit makes it clear that we believe the school department has violated state law, and we are pursuing this in civil court.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
