RICHMOND, Va. – For the first time since Richneck Elementary School teacherAbby Zwerner was shot on Jan. 6, a public statement was issued on behalf of former principal Briana Foster-Newton.
Police say a 6-year-old student shot Zwerner while she was teaching.
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Pamela J. Branch, an attorney at PJB Law in Richmond, is representing Foster-Newton. During a press conference, Branch stated that Foster-Newton was not informed about a potential gun on school property.
"It continues to be reported that unidentified school administrators were aware that the 6-year-old student had a gun at school on January 6 and simply failed to act," said Branch. "Mrs. Newton has been assumed to have been one of those administrators. However, this is far from the truth. The fact of the matter is that those who were aware that the student who may have had a gun on the premises that day did not report this to Mrs. Newton at all."
Branch also said her client has been the target of was she described as "misinformed social media posts" about administrators' handling of the shooting.
"Mrs. Newton has also been very quiet dealing with her own dismay since the shooting on January the 6th. Mrs. Newton has received threatening voicemails wishing her ill," said Branch.
Branch added that Foster-Newton is still employed by the district.
"She has not been officially reassigned [to a new position within the district], but she will be,” said Branch.
Richneck Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker resigned from her position last week and the Newport News School Board ousted Superintendent Dr. George Parker.
Zwerner is now home recovering. In a press conference, her lawyer said on the day of the shooting, the Richneck administration "could not be bothered," and she announced plans to file a lawsuit.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 3 for updates.
