VA- 6-YEAR-OLD is in custody after shooting teacher

[fred&edna]

Have they said why the gun was left where the child could get it? <modsnip: not victim friendly>

Their attorney says the gun was secure.

VA- 6-YEAR-OLD is in custody after shooting teacher

I work in schools, I have been a 1-1 assistant for severe behavior needs, the type of students who run, who bite/kick, who destroy rooms. I have seen instances where a parent/guardian was required to be with a child on field trips, special events, etc. I have had students with severe anxiety...

www.websleuths.com

Lawyer: 6-year-old who shot teacher has ‘acute disability’

The family’s statement was released by an attorney and did not elaborate further on where the 9mm handgun was kept.

www.witn.com

 

[Simply Southern]

wonder if we will ever hear from this group about teacher reports of safety issues in this building....

I think they will speak directly with LE. I don't expect a public statement. A Lorton Superintendent, has been charged with "false statement to media". I am very confident every voice will be heard by the appropriate authority. I expect few leaks of information.

The state has indicated several employees from a completed investigations and is wrapping up another district, with expected charges. The first was lengthy, the second less than 6 weeks. I do believe the state will be compelled by parents and teachers to fully investigate.

All are my personal opinion

 

[not negotiable]

Everyone involved needs our prayers really.
The teacher who didn't deserve this.
The parents how their baby only 6 could do this.
The school feeling how did this happen.
The other parents and kids that were scared.

We all make mistakes we really don't have a right to point fingers at any one. We know we are all quilts of a wrong in our lives.prayers to all involved.

 

[Erutan]

I think they will speak directly with LE. I don't expect a public statement. A Lorton Superintendent, has been charged with "false statement to media". I am very confident every voice will be heard by the appropriate authority. I expect few leaks of information.

The state has indicated several employees from a completed investigations and is wrapping up another district, with expected charges. The first was lengthy, the second less than 6 weeks. I do believe the state will be compelled by parents and teachers to fully investigate.

All are my personal opinion

bbm
The bolded especially.
This could also have been a child who was shot !

The parents of other six year old's and indeed all of the students in that school need to know that this will not happen again, in the same manner that the teacher's shooting occurred !
More than just installing metal detectors, a general overhaul -- and more thorough investigation into past reports from concerned teachers ?
Imo.

 

[Simply Southern]

I understand privacy for a minor but does that automatically include his parents? I'm particularly interested in the legal aspect of their privacy... since they have an attorney.

ETA: He didn't obtain the gun from school. And, assuming his parents are adults (not minors themselves) why wouldn't the public be entitled to information?

If the parents are charged, it will be public information. If they are not, I believe LE will make a statement.

COP, Drew stated Thurs or Friday, they have NOT completed the interviews with the children, which require a psychologist. He stated it was a lengthy process. I can't imagine trying to collect information from a traumatised six year old. Breaks my heart.

I am sure the child's entire family will be interviewed, time line, an hypothesis created, as to how he obtained the gun. There is a lot of work and many bases to cover, to be fair and just to all parties.

All my personal opinion

 

[fred&edna]

If the parents are charged, it will be public information. If they are not, I believe LE will make a statement.

COP, Drew stated Thurs or Friday, they have NOT completed the interviews with the children, which require a psychologist. He stated it was a lengthy process. I can't imagine trying tocollect information from traumatised six year old. Breaks my heart.

I am sure the child's entire family will be interviewed, time line, an hypothesis created, as to how he obtained the gun. There is a lot of work and many bases to cover, to be fair and just to all parties.

All my personal opinion

Thank you for the info.

I cannot imagine LE interviews with those poor children

And, tough for the public if a full investigation with everyone isn't done just based on "privacy".

 

[Simply Southern]

<modsnip: quoted post removed by poster>
I have a semi-educated guess why there have been no arrests.
Think of Brian Laundrie and his family's attorney. Those parents did not budge an inch, until a search warrant was issued. And that took some time. The family listened to their attorney, and followed his advice .

I have a feeling the same type of scenario is playing out here. Can you even imagine the red tape nightmare this would be, to get a search warrant of parents of a child they cannot name? Parents may or may not have remained silent, and they possibly denied LE access to the home, on the advice of their attorney.

Finding proper legal custody papers of the boy? Major red tape. I believe that LE will soon be, if not already in the home of the parents. In the mean time, we have received the " holiday Inn" version of the story from the family's attorney. Just sayin. MOO This is all speculation on my part.

So basically a delay in obtaining a proper and legal search warrant, due to the serious and alarming complexities of this case. JMOO
Peace

I agree, the family may not be speaking to LE.

The hospital/LE obtained an emergency custody order for the child under a mental health status, no matter the age, the state has custody. A hearing is held, based on testimony from family, all medical professionals, the parents, LE, etc. The judge may rule for confinement to a mental health or medical facility. The judge will immediately appoint an attorney and a guardian ad litem. The parents will not have custody until, which time a judge deems.

I would image NNPD immediately obtained a search warrant. There is no age qualifications for a search warrant. This was a school shooting, a judge will quickly sign a search warrant. There could be children at risk, more guns.

I respect COP Drew, he is holding his cards close. No leaks from his staff to media.

All my personal opinion

 

[fred&edna]

Everyone involved needs our prayers really.
The teacher who didn't deserve this.
The parents how their baby only 6 could do this.
The school feeling how did this happen.
The other parents and kids that were scared.

We all make mistakes we really don't have a right to point fingers at any one. We know we are all quilts of a wrong in our lives.prayers to all involved.

I won't argue with praying, but along with those prayers... I think everyone responsible needs to be held accountable. <modsnip>

 

[alex dvport]

We’re a Union of more than 40,000 teachers and school support professionals working for the betterment of public education in the Commonwealth.​

I’m a teacher in Virginia. We have associations. When those associations can collectively bargain, then they’re a union. Jmo
Eta: The “union” quoted is VEA- Virginia Education Association.

 

[Simply Southern]

I’m a teacher in Virginia. We have associations. When those associations can collectively bargain, then they’re a union. Jmo
Eta: The “union” quoted is VEA- Virginia Education Association.

Thanks. I referenced the organization from the NY Post article.

 

[Simply Southern]

A MUST READ!!!!

ATF, police search homes of 6-year-old’s family in Virginia school shooting investigation

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A federal agency and the Newport News Police this week searched two homes belonging to the family of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade

www.hastingstribune.com

A federal agency and the Newport News Police this week searched two homes belonging to the family of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade teacher.
...
....were the second round conducted at family member’s homes since the Jan. 6 shooting at Richneck Elementary School, said James Ellenson, an attorney for the boy’s mother.

....

Under Virginia law, parents whose children have gained access to guns can be charged with felonies or misdemeanors depending on the facts of the case.

A parent “whose willful act or omission” in caring for their child “was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life,” can be convicted of child neglect, the law says. That’s a Class 6 felony, punishable by up to five years behind bars.

Parents also can be charged with the misdemeanor charge of “allowing access to firearms by children.” That charge — punishable by up to a year in jail — can be brought when someone “recklessly leaves a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of fourteen.”

 

[Simply Southern]

Virginia mom details moments that reportedly led up to 6-year-old shooting teacher

Abby Zwerner, the 25-year-old teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student on Friday, is described by fellow teachers, city officials as a hard-working educator devoted to her students.

www.yahoo.com

Snipped

.... parent Brittany Gregory told the Washington Post that first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner had just finished reading a story and was about to start an art lesson when the child pulled out the handgun.

"She was going to confiscate it, and that's when he shot," Gregory said.

Another parent told a local media outlet that he had previously spoken with school staff members about safety concerns prior to the shooting.

 

[IDK]

I am curious if the incidents involving the boy throwing furniture and threatening to kill a different teacher (by burning) happened while his parents/grandparents were present at the school? Or did those incidents happen once the parents were no longer escorting him?

Just thinking out loud here, maybe he was acting out more when his family was present?

This may have been mentioned before, though I don’t remember reading it, Are 6 year olds ever suspended? Of course vision is always 100% in retrospect, but wondering why they didn’t suspend him and insist his family seek counseling or therapy for him? And make that a requirement for his return to school?

So sad.

 

[Ontario Mom]

A MUST READ!!!!

ATF, police search homes of 6-year-old’s family in Virginia school shooting investigation

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A federal agency and the Newport News Police this week searched two homes belonging to the family of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade

www.hastingstribune.com

A federal agency and the Newport News Police this week searched two homes belonging to the family of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade teacher.
...
....were the second round conducted at family member’s homes since the Jan. 6 shooting at Richneck Elementary School, said James Ellenson, an attorney for the boy’s mother.

....

Under Virginia law, parents whose children have gained access to guns can be charged with felonies or misdemeanors depending on the facts of the case.

A parent “whose willful act or omission” in caring for their child “was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life,” can be convicted of child neglect, the law says. That’s a Class 6 felony, punishable by up to five years behind bars.

Parents also can be charged with the misdemeanor charge of “allowing access to firearms by children.” That charge — punishable by up to a year in jail — can be brought when someone “recklessly leaves a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of fourteen.”

Sure sounds to me like the mother is fully cooperating, consenting to searches of both homes and the entire contents of her phone. I'm guessing part of the reason charges haven't yet been filed is because they actually did find the trigger lock discarded in the closet or the house somewhere, that the mother told them was on the gun (which would potentially corroborate her initial claim the gun was secured).

 

[Simply Southern]

Have they said why the gun was left where the child could get it? <modsnip: not victim friendly>

Their attorney, in an article up thread, stated....the gun was on a 6ft shelf in a closet.
Moo...

 

[Simply Southern]

Sure sounds to me like the mother is fully cooperating, consenting to searches of both homes and the entire contents of her phone. I'm guessing part of the reason charges haven't yet been filed is because they actually did find the trigger lock discarded in the closet or the house somewhere, that the mother told them was on the gun (which would potentially corroborate her initial claim the gun was secured).

Moo...I would think, it important to let the public know if the lock was found. Finding the lock would look favorable to the family, my opinion.
Per article I posted ...

ATF, police search homes of 6-year-old’s family in Virginia school shooting investigation

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A federal agency and the Newport News Police this week searched two homes belonging to the family of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade

www.hastingstribune.com

Ellenson said the mother consented to the ATF downloading the entire contents of her cellphone. But he declined to say if investigators found the trigger lock the mother said she had on her handgun — and he would not say what agents seized, “if anything.”

 

[Ontario Mom]

Moo...I would think, it important to let the public know if the lock was found. Finding the lock would look favorable to the family, my opinion.
Per article I posted ...

ATF, police search homes of 6-year-old’s family in Virginia school shooting investigation

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A federal agency and the Newport News Police this week searched two homes belonging to the family of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade

www.hastingstribune.com

Ellenson said the mother consented to the ATF downloading the entire contents of her cellphone. But he declined to say if investigators found the trigger lock the mother said she had on her handgun — and he would not say what agents seized, “if anything.”

It would look favorable to the family, no two ways about it.
That was just a guess on my part as to possibly why charges have not yet been filed.

 

[Simply Southern]

I see no way to contain the identity of the family or child, sadly.

News travels by word of mouth quickly. Parents will demand answers or search till they do. The school failed in the search for the gun. The school failed to contact LE. I would have concerns about other siblings in school and if they have access to guns.

The system failed. Parents and kids are scared, yes they want answers. I would have ZERO trust in the system after this.

All my opinion

 

[shotgun09]

I see no way to contain the identity of the family or child, sadly.

News travels by word of mouth quickly. Parents will demand answers or search till they do. The school failed in the search for the gun. The school failed to contact LE. I would have concerns about other siblings in school and if they have access to guns.

The system failed. Parents and kids are scared, yes they want answers. I would have ZERO trust in the system after this.

All my opinion

Exactly! I am actually very impressed by the school, and the families not divulging the 6 year olds name. His name was undoubtedly spread around fast. The CHILDREN in the classroom where it happened know exactly who it was. IMO, the fact that the school board meetings etc did not allow or state the boys name speaks volumes. These parents and teachers and children don't want blood! They want their children to be in a safe environment NOW! And they are currently not satisfied with the situation as it stands. MOO

 

[IceIce9]

Their attorney, in an article up thread, stated....the gun was on a 6ft shelf in a closet.
Moo...

Where I live guns are required to be locked away, maybe laws vary in other areas. Because kids can climb. We had a case where a gun was stored on a high shelf but a 4 year old climbed on something and reached it. Parent was arrested because the gun wasn’t locked up.

MOO and I understand that laws may vary in other areas.