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

[Knitty]

Question for a mod... are the 6 year old's parents considered victims here as per TOS?
Just asking for clarity.

They are. There may be questions, but bashing the parents is not allowed. Period.

 

[ssnva1]

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

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The family of a 6-year-old boy who shot and wounded his teacher in Virginia said Thursday that the child suffered from “an acute disability” and that one of his parents usually …

www.wric.com

 

[fred&edna]

I wonder if Virginia law considers it abuse and/or neglect for an acutely disabled child (one who cannot attend school without parent accompaniment) to know how to locate and access his mother's loaded weapon?

 

[Ontario Mom]

I wonder if Virginia law considers it abuse and/or neglect for an acutely disabled child (one who cannot attend school without parent accompaniment) to know how to locate and access his mother's loaded weapon?

"Police said earlier that the 6-year-old’s mother legally purchased the gun but that it was unclear how her son gained access to it. A Virginia law prohibits leaving a loaded gun where it is accessible to a child under 14, a misdemeanor crime punishable with a maximum one-year prison sentence and $2,500 fine. No charges have been brought against the mother, but the investigation continues, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said during one of two Facebook live chats he held with the community Wednesday."

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

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The family of a 6-year-old boy who shot and wounded his teacher in Virginia said Thursday that the child suffered from “an acute disability” and that one of his parents usually …

www.wric.com

 

[fred&edna]

"Police said earlier that the 6-year-old’s mother legally purchased the gun but that it was unclear how her son gained access to it. A Virginia law prohibits leaving a loaded gun where it is accessible to a child under 14, a misdemeanor crime punishable with a maximum one-year prison sentence and $2,500 fine. No charges have been brought against the mother, but the investigation continues, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said during one of two Facebook live chats he held with the community Wednesday."

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

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The family of a 6-year-old boy who shot and wounded his teacher in Virginia said Thursday that the child suffered from “an acute disability” and that one of his parents usually …

www.wric.com

​

18.2-371.1. Abuse and neglect of children; penalty; abandoned infant.​

A. Any parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child under the age of 18 who by willful act or willful omission or refusal to provide any necessary care for the child's health causes or permits serious injury to the life or health of such child is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
* (more info at link)

B. 1. Any parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child under the age of 18 whose willful act or omission in the care of such child was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life is guilty of a Class 6 felony. * (more info at link) BBM

Title 18.2. Crimes and Offenses Generally

law.lis.virginia.gov

* jmo IANAL but find this info just something to possibly consider as the child was a danger to himself while in possession of his mother's gun.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I wonder if the Newport News school district employs paraprofessionals or teacher's aides in any of its buildings? Many schools have trained personnel who assist teachers in their classrooms when there are special needs students in a regular classroom. The situation with this child sounds like having a paraprofessional or teacher's aide in Ms. Zwerner's classroom would have been beneficial for all concerned. JMO

 

[shotgun09]

The family of the 6 year old does have an attorney, named here:

"A spokesperson for local attorney James Ellenson confirmed to 10 On Your Side the legitimacy of a letter written on behalf of the 6-year-old’s family. She also confirmed that Ellenson is currently representing the family."

Family of 6-year-old who shot his teacher issues statement

For the first time, the family of a 6-year-old accused of shooting his first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News has issued a statement.

www.wavy.com

Also here:
"The statement was released through the office of Newport News-based attorney James S. Ellenson. It is the first public communication from the child's family and comes nearly two weeks after the shooting occurred Jan. 6 at Richneck Elementary. "

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-01-19/lawyer-gun-used-by-child-who-shot-teacher-was-secured

 

[Shamrock1]

If “secured” means it was locked in a password-protected safe, I wouldn’t be that surprised to learn a 6yr old - even one who requires a parent to accompany him to school - could gain access. Some kids are astonishingly skilled when it comes to both technology and overhearing things. One adult could have said to another adult “grab my passport to renew my license, password is 1234#” in Sept and the kid could have tucked that bit of info away for later.

These days, some safes make the user press the numbers plus buttons cleverly hidden in the logo.

 

[NervousNellie]

If “secured” means it was locked in a password-protected safe, I wouldn’t be that surprised to learn a 6yr old - even one who requires a parent to accompany him to school - could gain access. Some kids are astonishingly skilled when it comes to both technology and overhearing things. One adult could have said to another adult “grab my passport to renew my license, password is 1234#” in Sept and the kid could have tucked that bit of info away for later.

These days, some safes make the user press the numbers plus buttons cleverly hidden in the logo.

While your point is not lost on me, I would be willing to bet large chunk of my retirement funds that the weapon in question was NOT in a safe. JMO.

 

[fred&edna]

If “secured” means it was locked in a password-protected safe, I wouldn’t be that surprised to learn a 6yr old - even one who requires a parent to accompany him to school - could gain access. Some kids are astonishingly skilled when it comes to both technology and overhearing things. One adult could have said to another adult “grab my passport to renew my license, password is 1234#” in Sept and the kid could have tucked that bit of info away for later.

These days, some safes make the user press the numbers plus buttons cleverly hidden in the logo.

And, I suppose this was the first time anyone realized he was so bright and clever? If not, even additional security (beyond a password-protected safe) for the gun would have been required in his home.

 

[Stunned]

So the little boy has been hospitalized? Glad he is also getting help.

 

[Stunned]

Just got here, this may have already been posted.

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.wect.com

Interesting that a parent was suppose to attend school with him.

This apsolutely happens for children with extreme behaviors. IMO

 

[QB2022]

I find it fascinating having parents attend. Here we have TAs.

I wonder their idea of secure was defeated by brute force? My 6 year old can get into most things with brute force. Something would have to be up high to be secure here

 

[IDK]

Very disturbing situation. I don’t really have anything to add. I’m concerned that when folks start to “lawyer up”( like the boy’s family) that is just one step before the lawsuits start. I expect the school district to be hit by lawsuits from both the teacher and the boy’s family. Maybe the little boy should have been in residential care and the school district didn’t want to pay for it? I’m sure the teacher has grounds— maybe workplace safety? My opinion only, and sometime lawsuits are productive in leading to positive change.

 

[Ontario Mom]

If “secured” means it was locked in a password-protected safe, I wouldn’t be that surprised to learn a 6yr old - even one who requires a parent to accompany him to school - could gain access. Some kids are astonishingly skilled when it comes to both technology and overhearing things. One adult could have said to another adult “grab my passport to renew my license, password is 1234#” in Sept and the kid could have tucked that bit of info away for later.

These days, some safes make the user press the numbers plus buttons cleverly hidden in the logo.

I agree with you 100%. I've raised 7 kids myself and sometimes they do stuff you'd never guess in a million years they'd be able to do, at a young age. It doesn't mean they're bad or even able to bear the brunt of the responsibility for their actions at such a tender age, it just means they're a heck of a lot smarter than adults think they are.

When my now 40 year old was 2, she pulled a chair over to the door, unlocked the dead bolt, then unlocked the doorknob lock and "went for a walk" down the sidewalk. Had you asked me seconds prior to finding the front door wide open if she were able to do that, I would have said hands down, 100% no, never.

Unless LE give me a reason not to, I'm taking these parents at their word that the gun was secure, and somehow this little dude figured out how to UNsecure it.

 

[fred&edna]

I agree with you 100%. I've raised 7 kids myself and sometimes they do stuff you'd never guess in a million years they'd be able to do, at a young age. It doesn't mean they're bad or even able to bear the brunt of the responsibility for their actions at such a tender age, it just means they're a heck of a lot smarter than adults think they are.

When my now 40 year old was 2, she pulled a chair over to the door, unlocked the dead bolt, then unlocked the doorknob lock and "went for a walk" down the sidewalk. Had you asked me seconds prior to finding the front door wide open if she were able to do that, I would have said hands down, 100% no, never.

Unless LE give me a reason not to, I'm taking these parents at their word that the gun was secure, and somehow this little dude figured out how to UNsecure it.

I only raised two so I'm at a disadvantage However, (on a lighter note) I am reminded of the 9 yr and 4 yr old sisters in Utah that "stole" their parents car because they wanted to swim with dolphins. They traveled quite a little distance then crashed (no injuries... thank heaven).

Two little girls stole parents’ car because they wanted to ‘swim with dolphins’ in California, police say

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Police are still trying to figure out how two little girls managed to steal their parents’ car and get from West Jordan to West Valley City. A 9-year-old and h…

www.abc4.com

 

[IDK]

I don’t know, it sounds like this little boy in question has something more going on and maybe extra precautions should have been taken?

I agree with you 100%. I've raised 7 kids myself and sometimes they do stuff you'd never guess in a million years they'd be able to do, at a young age. It doesn't mean they're bad or even able to bear the brunt of the responsibility for their actions at such a tender age, it just means they're a heck of a lot smarter than adults think they are.

When my now 40 year old was 2, she pulled a chair over to the door, unlocked the dead bolt, then unlocked the doorknob lock and "went for a walk" down the sidewalk. Had you asked me seconds prior to finding the front door wide open if she were able to do that, I would have said hands down, 100% no, never.

Unless LE give me a reason not to, I'm taking these parents at their word that the gun was secure, and somehow this little dude figured out how to UNsecure it.

Glad he is getting help, at least.

 

[Simply Southern]

I wonder if Virginia law considers it abuse and/or neglect for an acutely disabled child (one who cannot attend school without parent accompaniment) to know how to locate and access his mother's loaded weapon?

As a Virginian, I'm pretty sure, it maybe months, but we will hear. Moo..

I do feel for the parents and the frustration they feel for special need children. Over the years, we, as a state have disband special need classes in many school district. All children are main stream, have individual mental health workers with them the entire time. It's difficult for all, the special needs child, as other students.

Moo..

 

[Ontario Mom]

I don’t know, it sounds like this little boy in question has something more going on and maybe extra precautions should have been taken?

Glad he is getting help, at least.

Agreed on both counts.

 

[fred&edna]

Teacher who allegedly was shot by 6-year-old has been released from the hospital as child's family issues first statement | CNN

The statement comes on the same day officials announced Richneck Elementary School teacher Abby Zwerner, who was wounded in the January 6 classroom shooting, has been released from the hospital.

Hear from grandmother who gave CPR to teacher allegedly shot by 6-year-old student