The superintendent of the school system said that school administrators at the Virginia elementary school where a first-grader fatally shot his teacher Abigail Zwerner last week learned that the child may have had a weapon in his possession prior to the shooting, but they did not seize the 9mm handgun that he brought to his classroom.
Parents were informed by School system Superintendent George Parker during an online conference held on Thursday evening that a school official was informed about the firearm before the 6-year-old student shot Zwerner at Richneck Elementary in Newport News. Zwerner was a teacher at the school.
According to a clip of the meeting, the superintendent informed parents that “at least one administrator was advised of a possible weapon in the timeline that we’re investigating and was aware that that student had, there was a possibility that there was a weapon on campus”
The online meeting was restricted to parents, but WAVY-TV reported gaining access through a parent.
The superintendent and a school spokesperson did not respond to The Associated Press’ several messages. Details regarding how they learnt about the weapon and why it was not discovered prior to the shooting were unavailable immediately. Previously, the police chief stated that the child took the firearm to school in his backpack.
The chest wounds sustained by 25-year-old Zwerner were initially deemed to be dangerous.
Her condition has improved, though, and she has been reported in stable condition at a hospital.
Chief of Police Steve Drew characterized the shooting as intentional. A court will decide the next steps for the youngster, who is now being confined in a medical institution due to an emergency custody order.
Drew stated that the boy used his mother’s legally purchased firearm. It is unknown how he obtained the weapon. Under Virginia law, it is a misdemeanor to leave a loaded firearm accessible to a minor under 14 years old.
