VA - 6-YEAR-OLD in custody after shooting teacher, Newport News, Jan 2023 *mom charged* #2

[Simply Southern]

Prosecutors launch special investigation into Richneck Elementary School employees' role in the January shooting

While investigators review if school employees' actions contributed to the shooting, the mother of the boy accused in the shooting faces multiple charges.

www.13newsnow.com

....
Duane said the special grand jury will investigate if negligence played a role in this incident.
He said there is a difference between negligence -- which means a careless mistake or act of inattention results in an injury to another -- and gross negligence, which is a reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others.
Duane said the decision to charge anyone with a criminal matter, such as gross negligence, comes down to any evidence that may prove school administrators knew the student had a gun on school grounds.
"As far as we are aware, there's no evidence that I've heard of that school division had physically seen the gun," Duane said. "They allegedly received reliable reports from a student that the child had or claimed to have had a gun, but that probably by itself would not justify the filing of criminal charges against them, but we'll have to wait and see."
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said his department did not receive a call from school administrators until after the shooting happened. School policy states administrators should call authorities if a threat is made against school personnel.

 

[fred&edna]

Prosecutors launch special investigation into Richneck Elementary School employees' role in the January shooting

While investigators review if school employees' actions contributed to the shooting, the mother of the boy accused in the shooting faces multiple charges.

www.13newsnow.com

....
Duane said the special grand jury will investigate if negligence played a role in this incident.
He said there is a difference between negligence -- which means a careless mistake or act of inattention results in an injury to another -- and gross negligence, which is a reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others.
Duane said the decision to charge anyone with a criminal matter, such as gross negligence, comes down to any evidence that may prove school administrators knew the student had a gun on school grounds.
"As far as we are aware, there's no evidence that I've heard of that school division had physically seen the gun," Duane said. "They allegedly received reliable reports from a student that the child had or claimed to have had a gun, but that probably by itself would not justify the filing of criminal charges against them, but we'll have to wait and see."
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said his department did not receive a call from school administrators until after the shooting happened. School policy states administrators should call authorities if a threat is made against school personnel.

Even though the assistant principal was fired... it appears she should have informed the principal about the "possible" gun. Did the principal (and/or others) not explain the proper procedures to the subordinate as to how to react in such a situation? "He has little pockets" was not proper response/procedure. And, I wonder how many other times proper procedures had not been followed by administrators prior to the shooting?

 

[shotgun09]

Even though the assistant principal was fired... it appears she should have informed the principal about the "possible" gun. Did the principal (and/or others) not explain the proper procedures to the subordinate as to how to react in such a situation? "He has little pockets" was not proper response/procedure. And, I wonder how many other times proper procedures had not been followed by administrators prior to the shooting?

What if ??? Ebony Parker (assistant Principal at the time, she of the 'small pockets" comment, and also the " his mother will be here soon to pick him up" comment) and Deja Nicole Taylor were BFF's? The defending and ignoring the claims of a POTENTIAL DEADLY WEAPON carried by this boy scream of protecting and shielding him, not just negligence and laziness. Why?

 

[fred&edna]

What if ??? Ebony Parker (assistant Principal at the time, she of the 'small pockets" comment, and also the " his mother will be here soon to pick him up" comment) and Deja Nicole Taylor were BFF's? The defending and ignoring the claims of a POTENTIAL DEADLY WEAPON carried by this boy scream of protecting and shielding him, not just negligence and laziness. Why?

Wouldn't surprise me. 'Seems there's been protecting and shielding this shooter for years. The WHY is what we ALL need to know!

 

[Simply Southern]

Even though the assistant principal was fired... it appears she should have informed the principal about the "possible" gun. Did the principal (and/or others) not explain the proper procedures to the subordinate as to how to react in such a situation? "He has little pockets" was not proper response/procedure. And, I wonder how many other times proper procedures had not been followed by administrators prior to the shooting?

I think the Asst Principal resigned. She was an AP last year at another school, per suit filed by AZ.

Moo...with the training and documentation required for a AP or Principal position, I would think she is knowledgeable of a most important VA law. She also has a Doctorate. If she didn't know then the SB failed.

Ebony Parker: School's asst principal quits after 6-yr-old shot his teacher Abigail Zwerner in the chest

Three school employees had warned the administration that the 6-year-old boy had a gun in the hours before the incident

meaww.com

 

[shotgun09]

The mother's cell phone records would prove to be very interesting. Any and all communication with the school should be reviewed. MOO

 

[Simply Southern]

The mother's cell phone records would prove to be very interesting. Any and all communication with the school should be reviewed. MOO

Also , school records, emails, and meeting notes.

 

[Simply Southern]

Wouldn't surprise me. 'Seems there's been protecting and shielding this shooter for years. The WHY is what we ALL need to know!

Yes, the WHY. Even the neighbors did not know. It's amazing this was kept a secret. No one leaked the mothers name.

 

[shotgun09]

I can't even imagine the discovery aspect, if this case ends up at trial....

 

[YepperBepper]

Thanks, the article has the entire complaint filed. I'll say AZs attorneys have clearly outlined at least 3 laws broken, per VA Code.

If this goes to trial, it's gonna be ugly. I do believe there is enough documentation of violent behavior, not only this year but last year. I do believe the "special relationship" between the student John Doe and the school board will be made public.

Clearly the VP violated the law by not reporting to LE immediately. VA CODE 22.1.279.3.1 ....school officials must report all illegal firearms to LE immediately.

Moo...

Well...I expect the defense will be that "they" (the admin) never actually saw the weapon. Ostrich syndrome. Additionally, I think they will defend their less than robust response to violence in the classroom as part of their approved procedures. Imho

 

[georgiajean]

The mother's cell phone records would prove to be very interesting. Any and all communication with the school should be reviewed. MOO

All school communication (any communication on school devices or school accounts) is public record. So all of that will be available for review. Given the administration's sloppy adherence to other laws and expectations, I am confident there was sloppiness in communicating "private" conversations on district devices or accounts. i.e. if it was done, there is a trail.

 

[fred&edna]

I wonder if Mr Carrington would tell more about what he knows, if asked?

 

[PrairieWind]

Could the charges on only her be because the gun belonged to and was registered to her?

I think that is possible. But I would think that if both parents lived there, both parents would be responsible for ensuring it is safely stored. That is part of what leads me to speculate that the father didn't live there, or at least wasn't there that morning.

 

[YepperBepper]

Yes, the WHY. Even the neighbors did not know. It's amazing this was kept a secret. No one leaked the mothers name.

Ah, Simply....they will all know now. The neighbor can't wait to inform all of the other neighbors. Lol.

It's very strange. In every community I have ever lived, people "know" things. Usually one or two retired elderly ladies see to that. This Mom seems to have been somehow immune to normal social occurrences. Imho

 

[georgiajean]

Well...I expect the defense will be that "they" (the admin) never actually saw the weapon. Ostrich syndrome. Additionally, I think they will defend their less than robust response to violence in the classroom as part of their approved procedures. Imho

I am very interested in how they "defend" some things that have dropped from the narrative about this case. Such as the school had not held safety drills that year, which left the 2nd grade classes wandering the halls seeking shelter. Why? Because their open classroom of two teachers and classes DID NOT HAVE DOORS. Which had been bought up, and dismissed as too expensive by administration at some level. (Shouting is mine, because I am a teacher. I am so sick of those in power dictating what should be done, while we are on the front lines trying to keep kids (and ourselves) safe in untenable times. Sigh. Hoping this event rattles cages everywhere. But I fear we've become too numb as a people to do what it takes to make the change happen.

 

[fred&edna]

Well...I expect the defense will be that "they" (the admin) never actually saw the weapon. Ostrich syndrome. Additionally, I think they will defend their less than robust response to violence in the classroom as part of their approved procedures. Imho

I agree that's what they will say, but even if they "approved" the improper procedures... the improper procedures allowed the school to become totally unsafe. An unsafe working place violates the legal rules. No?

 

[YepperBepper]

I am very interested in how they "defend" some things that have dropped from the narrative about this case. Such as the school had not held safety drills that year, which left the 2nd grade classes wandering the halls seeking shelter. Why? Because their open classroom of two teachers and classes DID NOT HAVE DOORS. Which had been bought up, and dismissed as too expensive by administration at some level. (Shouting is mine, because I am a teacher. I am so sick of those in power dictating what should be done, while we are on the front lines trying to keep kids (and ourselves) safe in untenable times. Sigh. Hoping this event rattles cages everywhere. But I fear we've become too numb as a people to do what it takes to make the change happen.

My comment was on keeping violent children in the classroom. I suspect they'll say restorative justice required them to keep such children in the classroom.

But I SO get you regarding the other oddities here. No fire or safety drills. No doors in the classroom. Etc. One of our local districts decided not to upgrade security issues due to expense, but just completed and unveiled their brand new football/sports stadium that cost over one million bucks. Imho

 

[PrairieWind]

I think the Asst Principal resigned. She was an AP last year at another school, per suit filed by AZ.

Moo...with the training and documentation required for a AP or Principal position, I would think she is knowledgeable of a most important VA law. She also has a Doctorate. If she didn't know then the SB failed.

Ebony Parker: School's asst principal quits after 6-yr-old shot his teacher Abigail Zwerner in the chest

Three school employees had warned the administration that the 6-year-old boy had a gun in the hours before the incident

meaww.com

An assistant principal would be well educated and and experienced educator. You can't tell me she didn't know proper procedures on things like this.

 

[Erutan]

What if ??? Ebony Parker (assistant Principal at the time, she of the 'small pockets" comment, and also the " his mother will be here soon to pick him up" comment) and Deja Nicole Taylor were BFF's? The defending and ignoring the claims of a POTENTIAL DEADLY WEAPON carried by this boy scream of protecting and shielding him, not just negligence and laziness. Why?

Agreed 100 %.
Not to mention placing not only the teachers in danger, but the other students as well !!!
Wonder how the parents of those students are feeling now ??

 

[Simply Southern]

Agreed 100 %.
Not to mention placing not only the teachers in danger, but the other students as well !!!
Wonder how the parents of those students are feeling now ??

It depends on what message the school is pumping out. Seems like the attorney for some students and the principal want to blame AZ. Moo ..several article up thread with their statements