Virginia boy, 6, who shot Abigail Zwerner told another educator about his desire to set her on fire
NEW PORT NEWS, VIRGINIA: An elementary school boy who used his mother's pistol to shoot his teacher Abigail Zwerner allegedly expressed to another educator wanting to set her on fire and watch her die. On January 6, the 6-year-old boy shot the first-grade teacher at Virginia's Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. The teacher survived the horrifying shooting. Teachers at Richneck including Zwerner have previously shared their worries about the boy's mischievous behavior with the faculty. However, all their concerns were left unaddressed.
In the online messages to George Parker III, the Newport News Superintendent, teachers wrote about the child's behavior being pointed out by Zwerner several times. In the chat, one school staff member wrote, “She had asked for help,” while another added, “Several times,” according to New York Post. It remains unclear when the student made the threat. In another instance, the child barricaded the doors, blocking a teacher and other students from leaving the classroom. The group managed to get the door opened by a colleague from across the hall after the teacher banged on the barricaded door.
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The shocking shooting incident occurred while the 25-year-old teacher was teaching her first-grade class. The boy shot her in the chest and before collapsing, Zwerner managed to send her students out of the classroom. She was then immediately taken to the hospital. According to the authorities, before the incident took place, there were no signs of struggle or warning from the troubled boy who aimed the elementary teacher with the 9mm Taurus handgun.
As per the Superintendent, before the shooting took place, at least one of the school officials was alerted about the child bringing a deadly weapon to the school. However, after his backpack was searched, no weapon was found. Steve Drew, the Newport News Police Chief stated that the shooting was "intentional" and the investigation is ongoing, according to New York Post.
The boy's parents broke their through their public statement on Thursday, January 19. They claimed that the gun was "secured" in their home and also added that their child suffered from an "acute disability.” They stated that until the week before the shooting, the boy was accompanied to class by his mother or father and added, “we will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives.”