NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — The family of a 6-year-old boy who Newport News police say shot and wounded his teacher at Richneck Elementary School, said Thursday that the gun he used had been “secured.”
The family's statement was released by an attorney and did not elaborate further on where the 9mm handgun was kept. The family also was not identified.
In the statement, they say they're praying for teacher Abby Zwerner. Hospital staff at Riverside Regional Medical Center said the 25-year old was released from the hospital this week.
"Our heart goes out to our son's teacher and we pray for her healing in the aftermath of such an unimaginable tragedy as she selflessly served our son and the children in the school." -Family of 6-year-old that shot his teacher at Richneck Elem.
The statement also includes that they've been "cooperating with local and federal law enforcement to understand how this could have happened."
The family says they wanted to include "additional facts previously unknown to the public in hopes that they may ease the dissonance we are all grappling with and prevent something like this from happening again."
“Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children,” the statement said. “The firearm our son accessed was secured.”
The family also said that the boy “suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day.”
The family said the week of the shooting “was the first week when we were not in class with him. We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives.”
The family says their son has been receiving hospital care and treatment since the shooting and that they continue to pray for Zwerner's recovery, but also ask for prayers for their family.
"We continue to pray for his teacher's full recovery, and for her loved ones who are undoubtedly upset and concerned. At the same time, we love our son and are asking that you please include him and our family in your prayers." -Family of 6-year-old that shot his teacher at Richneck Elem.
The statement was released through the office of Newport News-based attorney James S. Ellenson.
The shooting occurred Jan. 6 as Zwerner taught her first grade class at Richneck Elementary in Newport News.
The bullet pierced Zwerner’s hand and struck her chest. The 25-year-old teacher hustled her students out of the classroom before being rushed to the hospital.
Newport News police had said 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 so far.
Newport News Public Schools Spokesperson Michelle Price said the school district cannot comment on the child’s education plan because of privacy reasons.
“In compliance with FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, NNPS cannot release student educational record information,” said Price.
Newport News Police also said they could not comment because the case is an ongoing investigation.
Richneck will remain closed for students for a third week from January 23-25. All schools in NNPS are closed on January 26 & 27 for a teacher workday and professional development day.
