5th grader threatens to 'pop bullets' at Richneck Elementary school where Abby Zwerner was shot by 6-year-old
NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA: One more student has threatened to shoot up at Virginia elementary school where a six-year-old shot a teacher, Abby Zwerner, 25, last month making national headlines. The unidentified Richneck Elementary school student in Newport News reportedly threatened of shooting in a group chat with other students.
The unidentified 5th grader has since been excluded from the school. The action came after one of the students showed the chat messages to their parents, who later emailed the school officials.
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'Pop some bullets' and 'tell someone to shoot up the class'
The Richneck Elementary school student texted in the group chat that they would "pop some bullets" and "tell someone to shoot up the class" on Saturday, 18 February. In wake of the latest threat, the New Port News police department provided extra security for school arrivals, ABC News reported.
A thorough investigation is underway
Karen Lynch, the administrator of Richneck School, informed parents about the event over the weekend in a letter that was forwarded to them on Monday, February 20. In the letter, Lynch wrote, "a thorough investigation is underway with the police department. A threat assessment is also in progress." He added, "Threats and safety concerns are always taken very seriously. Please rest assured that all protocols are being followed and this incident is being addressed accordingly."
The student was immediately excluded from school
Lynch has taken over the charge of the principal of the school after the former resigned following the January shooting of Zwerner. The alarming messages come as an inquiry into what prompted the six-year-old student to shoot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, completed. The student was immediately “excluded from school” according to the letter.
The Newport News Police Department presented the case to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday after concluding its investigation into Zwerner's shooting. The police investigation's findings have not been made public. A separate case investigation, though, by the Newport News School Division is still ongoing.
Zewerner has shown intent to file a lawsuit
The attorney of Zewerner who was shot in the chest by a 6-year-old has shown intent to file a lawsuit by sending a letter to the school district. In the letter, the teacher claimed the boy had a history of violent behavior. Zewerner has accused the school's assistant principal Ebony Parker, who has since resigned, of failing to act despite being told repeatedly that the student had a gun at school.
In the letter, it is further alleged that four teachers, including Zwerner and a guidance counselor, all warned Parker, about the student's behavior on the day of the shooting. Parker failed to act when she was first notified, between 11.15 and 11.30 am, and when Zwerner was shot at 1.59 pm. School officials have declined to share details about the ongoing case.