Abby Zwerner: Virginia elementary school teacher shot by boy, 6, shows signs of recovery in hospital
NEW PORT NEWS, VIRGINIA: The teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student in New Port News Virginia elementary school is showing 'signs of improvement', reports said. Earlier, police stated that she was in critical condition, in the hospital with "life-threatening injuries." The incident is being called a "red flag for the country", Phillip Jones, the mayor of the city of Newport News in Virginia said. The 25-year-old school teacher Abby Zwerner was identified by FOX3 Now News
In a shocking revelation later, police shared some details about the incident and said that it resulted from an altercation after which the six-year-old pulled the gun to shoot the teacher. Jones said the condition of the teacher at Richneck Elementary School is "trending in a positive direction" as she remains admitted in the hospital.
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According to a senior officer who spoke with her on Saturday, she "has improved and is currently listed in stable condition," according to Sky News. According to Jones, authorities are having a difficult time understanding how a young child might have been involved in a school shooting. The students, who were later reunited with their parents, were declared by police to be unharmed. Residents, especially parents, are in shock and are requesting stricter gun laws in response to the incident in order to horrifying situations like the one that took place in the school on Friday.
Investigators have so far remained tight-lipped about how the incident unfolded and more importantly how the student got access to the gun. Jones said, "I do think that after this event, there is going to be a nationwide discussion on how these sorts of things can be prevented," the station reported. Superintendent of Newport News Public Schools George Parker III said, "I'm in awe, and I'm in shock, and I'm disheartened." The juvenile is also too young to face trial and per Virginia law, a six-year-old child can not be prosecuted like adult.
Furthermore, the boy is too young to be placed in the Department of Juvenile Justice's custody. However, the report mentioned a juvenile court judge would have the power to revoke parental custody and transfer the child to the Department of Social Services. Jones didn't say where the boy is being held but added, "We are ensuring he has all the services that he currently needs right now."
