NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Many parents are still asking questions after a 6-year-old male student shot a teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News on Friday.
Along with confusion, parents are struggling with their own emotions while trying to find the right ways to speak to their children.
"How a 6-year-old can obtain a weapon, firearm let alone use it...it's just unfathomable," said Joy McManus, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action.
McManus, who is also a mom and a teacher, is still wrapping her head around this tragic situation.
"This one in particular just feels so close to home," McManus said. "It feels so hard to understand that we're now getting to the fact that the youngest of our students is involved with gun violence."
News 3 learned earlier Saturday that the teacher who was shot, Abby Zwerner, was in stable condition. Police said the student who shot her was in custody.
This situation is prompting mental health experts to weigh in on how this could impact students and staff psychologically.
"School-age children, especially so young, process trauma differently than adults. They're grieving, in a sense, because the normalcy of their experience has now changed," said Dr. Sarah Williams, a licensed psychotherapist.
News 3 reporter Kelsey Jones asked if a 6-year-old can comprehend the severity of the shooting.
"Without meeting the child, I would have a very hard time as a professional thinking that this child can truly process the gravity of their actions," Dr. Williams asked.
Dr. Williams recommends parents encourage their children to share their feelings.
"It wouldn't surprise me that it would take months or years for the impact of this trauma to truly settle in for those individuals," said Dr. Williams.
She also said parents should have a conversation at home about gun violence to help children process what they experienced.
"We make assumptions that our children are innocent and they don't know, and if we have conversations, we will be surprised at what they pick up," she said.
Many questions remain—how did a 6-year-old get his hands on a gun? How did he know how to use it?
Mental health experts tell News 3 they believe video games could play a factor.
If you're seeking mental health resources, you can visit Dr. William's website and you can find resources on how to talk to kids after school shootings from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network here.
