HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — On Jan. 6, 2023, a first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, was shot by her 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School.
There are still so many questions to be answered. We are breaking down what took place that day, and what came in the aftermath, in a timeline of events.
This timeline will be updated as more information is released.
Friday, January 6
SHOOTING OCCURS
Police would later confirm that a 6-year-old boy, who is a student at Richneck Elementary School, shot his teacher around 2 p.m.
POLICE ARRIVE
Tactical teams were sent into the building.
Lawonda Sample-Rusk, a grandparent of two children at the school, told us that before first responders arrived, she and a receptionist stayed by the injured teacher's side.
Sample-Rusk applied pressure to the teacher's wounds before she was transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center.
PARENTS BEGIN ARRIVING AT REUNIFICATION CENTER
Once parents and guardians heard about the incident, they began to arrive at the school, desperate to reunite with their children.
According to Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew, all the children were taken to the school's gym, where counselors and officers were present. Guardians picked up their children at the reunification site at the gym door.
One man at the reunification center, who has a nephew at Richneck Elementary, told us, "When I pulled up there was a bunch of people gathered, trying to get their children. You know, a lot of people panicking, a lot of confusion, traffic backed up over there, nobody knew where to get the kids from, so we all had to walk all the way around. Everybody had to get their cars, and they had to drive over to the church."
POLICE CHIEF, MAYOR HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew shared the following details during the conference:
- A 6-year-old suspect, who is a student, is in custody
- An injured teacher was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center
- Police deduced that the shooting was not accidental
Additionally, Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones commended the police for doing an "amazing" job responding to the situation. The school announced it would be closed the following Monday.
Saturday, January 7
TEACHER IDENTITY CONFIRMED
Multiple sources confirmed to us that the injured teacher was Abby Zwerner.
Zwerner is a first-grade teacher, according to Richneck Elementary's website.
James Madison University also confirmed her identity and shared that Zwerner is a JMU graduate.
A message of support for JMU graduate Abby Zwerner from President Alger on behalf of the JMU community. pic.twitter.com/eAGRAKFEew
— JMU (@JMU) January 7, 2023
Sunday, January 8
RICHNECK PRINCIPAL PROVIDES UPDATE
Briana Foster-Newton, the principal of Richneck Elementary School, said the following in a message:
- Abby Zwerner was awake and "talking with family and friends"
- The school was extending its temporary closure from just Monday to the entire school week (Monday, Jan. 9 to Friday, Jan. 13).
ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE RALLY
A "Stop the Violence Rally" took place on Sunday evening.
"We're trying to focus this on a mental issue more than just the violence part of it," said Devon Kelley, a Stop the Violence Peace Rally organizer.
Monday, January 9
Authorities gave an update Monday on the shooting of a Richneck Elementary School teacher by a 6-year-old student, and the community later held a candlelight vigil.
Police determined the 9mm handgun the 6-year-old suspect allegedly used was in the residence where he lived. It was legally purchased by the suspect's mother, police explained.
Drew said the teacher took a defensive position by raising her hand. The single bullet went through her hand and entered her chest.
The child suspect and parents have been interviewed by police. Drew furthered that the child was transported to a hospital where he was evaluated. Police said the child was at a center receiving treatment.
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
A prayer vigil for Abby Zwerner was held at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Admin Building on Warwick Boulevard. Attendees were encouraged to wear green, Richneck's school color, and bring candles.
Tuesday, January 10
ITEM PICK UP
Principal Newton said not all students were able to access their coats and backpacks during parent pickup on the day of the shooting, and they could retrieve their belongings at the school on Tuesday.
Thursday, January 12
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL
Principal Newton said a virtual town hall would be held to discuss a plan for the students' return to school. Richneck families were invited to attend, and they received registration links prior to the town hall.
During the town hall, former Superintendent Dr. George Parker III said school officials had been alerted, before the shooting, that the student involved may have had a weapon.
Dr. Parker said a search of the boy's backpack found nothing.
School officials said metal detectors would be placed in all Newport News schools.
Friday, January 13
"EXTENDED LEARNING SUPERVISOR" NOW LEADING RICHNECK ELEMENTARY
Newport News Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Price told News 3 Karen Lynch is only taking over some responsibilities of the principal, but she would not be an interim principal and she would not be completely filling the role.
Price said Richneck's principal Briana Foster-Newton, and assistant principal Dr. Ebony Parker, were still employed by the school system, but could not comment on whether they would still be working at that location.
Sunday, January 15
RICHNECK REMAINS CLOSED FOR SECOND WEEK
For the second week after the shooting, Richneck Elementary School remained closed for students after the shooting.
Monday, January 16
NEWPORT NEWS POLICE SAY 6-YEAR-OLD ASSAULTED TWO STAFF MEMBERS DAY OF SHOOTING
Chief Drew told News 3 the 6-year-old assaulted two staff members the day of the shooting.
"There was a faculty member there who was physically restraining him. As we walked in the child struck her at that point, and we decided to take him into custody," Drew said.
Thursday, January 19
PARENTS OF 6-YEAR-OLD RELEASE STATEMENT
The parents of the 6-year-old student released their first statement since the shooting. The family's statement was released by an attorney, and the family was not identified.
In the statement, the family says the gun he had used was "secured."
The family also said that their son "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 they did not accompany him.
In the statement, the family said they are praying for Abby Zwerner.
ABBY ZWERNER RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
Officials at Riverside Regional Medical Center told News 3 Abby Zwerner was released from the hospital.
Spokesperson Angela Arcieri said Zwerner "continues her recovery as an outpatient with the support of family, friends, and health professionals. The Zwerner family respectfully asks for privacy during this time."
Monday, January 23
SCHOOL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE RICHNECK WILL OPEN JAN. 30
School officials confirmed Richneck Elementary School would reopen to students on Monday, Jan. 30, almost a month after the shooting.
Tuesday, January 24
NEWPORT NEWS SCHOOL BOARD PLANS TO DISCUSS SEPARATION AGREEMENT WITH SUPERINTENDENT
The Newport News School Board planned to discuss the potential approval of a separation agreement and severance with Superintendent Dr. George Parker, according to a special meeting agenda.
The board would also discuss the appointment of an interim superintendent.
Wednesday, January 25
ABBY ZWERNER'S LAWYER GIVES FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT
Zwerner's lawyer, Diane Toscano, gave a public statement for the first time since the shooting.
In the press conference, Toscano laid out a timeline of the day that detailed four separate incidents that lead teachers, including Zwerner, to speak to administration about the 6-year-old.
Three of those four incidents included telling administration they believed the child had a gun.
Toscano announced her plans to file a lawsuit against Newport News Public School on Zwerner's behalf.
RICHNECK ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RESIGNS
According to school spokesperson Michelle Price, Richneck Elementary School's Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker had resigned.
NEWPORT NEWS SCHOOL BOARD VOTES TO FIRE SUPERINTENDENT
The Newport News School Board voted to fire Dr. George Parker.
Board members voted 5-1. Board member Gary Hunter was the only one to vote against Parker's removal.
Michele Mitchell, who served as executive director of student advancement at the time, was chosen to serve as interim superintendent.
Saturday, January 28
CNU HONORS RICHNECK AT BASKETBALL GAME
The Captains' home men's basketball game against Salisbury was dedicated to Richneck Elementary School.
CNU encouraged all who attended to wear green, and teachers, students, and staff who wore green received free admission.
Green t-shirts were sold, with proceeds benefiting Abby Zwerner.
Monday, January 30
RICHNECK STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM
Students returned to Richneck Elementary with stepped-up security and a new administrator.
School Board Chair Lisa-Surles Law said roses were handed out to the students, and all parents were allowed to walk their children to their classrooms.
Zwerner's classroom where the shooting happened remained closed, and the class was moved to a new classroom.
On 3
Timeline of Richneck Shooting
Thursday, February 2
PUBLIC STATMENT ISSUED BY FORMER RICHNECK PRINCIPAL
For the first time since the shooting, former principal Briana Foster-Newton issued a statement through her lawyer, Pamela Branch.
Branch said Foster-Newton was never informed of the possibility of a weapon on the school's campus.
Foster-Newton was still employed by the district, but had not been officially reassigned, according to Branch.
Tuesday, February 7
LEGAL ACTION TAKEN
News 3 learned about two additional legal actions taken against Newport News Schools regarding the Richneck shooting.
One was sent by certified mail to the city attorney from the representative of a family of a Richneck student.
The attorney noted her firm is representing the student for injuries sustained during the school shooting. She requested all evidence relevant to the incident be preserved.
The other is representing a different student, a first-grader at the school.
The attorney said the child was subjected to bullying, assault and battery during the school year, and was present in the classroom where the shooting on Jan. 6 took place. They asked for all records pertaining to the student.
Sunday, February 12
'HERO' GRANT PULLED FROM RICHNECK'S OVERSIGHT
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids said "due to developing circumstances" at Richneck Elementary School, it canceled the school's oversight of a "Hero" grant for Abby Zwerner.
The foundation said that instead they would be working directly with Zwerner and her lawyer to oversee the grant.
Monday, February 20
THREAT AT RICHNECK ELEMENTARY
In a letter to Richneck families Karen Lynch, the school's extended learning supervisor, said a group of fifth graders were texting Saturday when one of them said they would "pop some bullets" and "tell someone to shoot up the class."
One of the students told their parents about the conversation which was then made known to a teacher. The teacher contacted school administrators.
"I immediately contacted the student’s parent and excluded the student from school. The NNPS Leadership Team, the Student Conduct and Discipline Office and the police department have been notified," Lynch said in the letter.
Tuesday, February 21
SHOOTING INVESTIGATION COMPLETE
Chief Drew said during a Facebook "Chat with the Chief" that detectives wrapped up interviews after weeks of investigating what happened inside the classroom.
Drew said his department handed over the full investigative report to the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
Drew said charges had not been filed against anyone in the case at this point.
Wednesday, March 8
STUDENT WON'T BE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn confirmed to News 3 that aggravated assault charges would not be filed against the 6-year-old student.
"We do not believe the law supports charging and convicting a 6-year-old with aggravated assault," Gwynn said in a phone call with News 3.
Newport News police released a statement on Gwynn's behalf clarifying that other charges were still possible.
Tuesday, March 14
METAL DETECTORS INSTALLED IN ALL NEWPORT NEWS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS
NNPS spokesperson Michelle Price said all Newport News middle and high schools were now equipped with metal detectors.
Metal detectors will also be installed in the school system's elementary and early childhood centers, but that effort was delayed due to shipping issues.
Monday, March 20
ABBY ZWERNER SPEAKS PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME
Abby Zwerner spoke publicly for the first time with NBC's Savannah Guthrie.
Zwerner said she's had four surgeries and is going through a challenging recovery.
Zwerner said in the interview that she's had some days when she "can't get up out of bed," while others is is able to go about her day and make it to appointments.
Tuesday, March 21
ZWERNER'S LAWYER READY TO FILE LAWSUIT
A civil suit was drafted and was ready to file on behalf of Abby Zwerner, according to her lawyer Diane Toscano.
Toscano told News 3 they would file the lawsuit against Newport News Public Schools in two weeks.
Monday, April 3
ABBY ZWERNER AND LEGAL TEAM FILE LAWSUIT
Abby Zwerner filed a lawsuit for $40 million in damages from school officials, accusing them of gross negligence for allegedly ignoring multiple warnings on the day of the shooting.
The lawsuit further detailed the events of the day of the shooting, saying the student had a history of committing random acts of violence.
The defendants in the suit are Newport News School Board Chairperson Lisa-Surles Law, Director of Legal Services Len Wallin, Newport News City Attorney Collins Owens Jr., former Superintendent Dr. George Parker, former Richneck Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker and former Richneck Principal Briana Foster-Newton.
FORMER RICHNECK PRINCIPAL CONSIDERING COUNTERSUIT
In a statement given on behalf of former Richneck Elementary principal Briana Foster-Newton, Foster-Newton's lawyer Pamela Branch said they are "exploring the possibility" of acountersuit to Abby Zwerner's lawsuit against Foster-Newton and other administrators and school board members.
In the statement, Branch said the consideration for a countersuit comes as "it has been brought to our attention that prior to the shooting, another student in Ms. Zwerner's class warned her in class that the 6-year-old shooter had a gun and Ms. Zwerner allegedly told the student to sit down and be quiet."
Monday, April 10
A grand jury indicted the mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School on Monday, according to the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn.
Gwynn said 25-year-old Deja Taylor of Newport News was charged with felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a firearm as to endanger a child.
Newport News prosecutors also asked a Circuit Court judge to impanel a "special grand jury" to "continue the investigation into any security issues that may have contributed to this shooting."
This could include looking at Richneck administrators, the school system, and possibly anyone else and could take months, possibly leading to more indictments, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
Thursday, April 13
Deja Taylor, the mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher at Richneck Elementary School, turned herself into custody.
Taylor turned herself in and was taken into custody at the Newport News City Jail on Thursday, April 13, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed to us just before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Taylor’s bond was set at $5,000, according to court documents. Ellenson called the bond, and Gwynn’s recommendation for Taylor to have pre-trial supervision, “reasonable.”
Monday, June 12
Deja Taylor pleads guilty to illegally obtaining and possessing a firearm and making a false statement on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form to purchase the firearm.
Tuesday, June 13
A spokesperson for Newport News Public Schools told News 3 that Abby Zwerner is no longer employed with NNPS. They said Zwerner informed the Human Resources Department that she was resigning from her position as a teacher for NNPS on March 13. Her employment with NNPS ended on June 12 - the last day of her contract, according to the spokesperson.
Tuesday, July 4
The Newport News School Board filed a motion for a protective order to keep documents between its legal team and the attorneys of Abby Zwerner private, according to Zwerner's attorneys.
Also on this date, the school board announced the new principal and assistant principal.
Jacky Barber, who was the principle at Sedgefield Elementary School, was appointed principal.
Rhonda Chambers-Harmon, who the the assistant principal at Stoney Run Elementary School, was appointed as the assistant principal.
Friday, July 28
The Newport News School District said it is requiring all students to use clear backpacks in the 2023-2024 school year.
The notice on the school district's website said the division will be providing clear backpacks to all students in preschool through grade 12. They'll also get a small, opaque pouch to hold personal items.
Thursday, August 3
The Newport News School Board voted to make Dr. Michele Mitchell the next superintendent of the system.
Dr. Mitchell served as the interim superintendent after the board voted to fire Dr. George Parker III, in January.
Mitchell has been with the school system for more than 29 years, serving in multiple roles including teacher, assistant principal, middle school principal, director of special education, and interim chief academic officer.
“Dr. Mitchell did a very good job at coming in at a difficult time, and leading us out of the darkness is what I would call it," said one NNPS parent.
Wednesday, August 13
Attorneys for Abby Zwerner and Newport News Board agree to the stipulation that "No first-grade teacher in Newport News school system would expect or anticipate getting shot with a firearm by a student as part of their job."
Previously, the Newport News School Board Attorneys argued that it was not reality to believe young children don't pose any dange to teachers, leading to backlash in the education community.
News
Attorneys for Zwerner, Newport News School Board share info ahead of key hearing
Zwerner attorneys said the stipulation means they won't have to interview other teachers about whether they consider getting shot an expected outcome of their jobs.
Zwerner is seeking $40 million dollars after she was shot in her classroom at Richneck Elementary Schoolin January.
In Jan. 2025, a judge will hear arguments about Zwerner's injuries being covered under workers' compensation. Which would end her lawsuit, but she would still be eligible for up to 500 weeks of compensation and a lifetime of medical benefits, according to an attorney for the school board.
Tuesday, Sept. 5
On Tuesday, News 3 reviewed a document from the U.S. District Court for Eastern district of Virginia stating that prosecutors recommended Deja Taylor's bond revoked. According to the motion, Taylor violated the terms of her bond when she "possessed and used controlled substances," after drug tests showed marijuana and cocaine in her system on July 19 and Aug. 25, respectively. She also failed to attend scheduled treatment sessions for substance abuse, according to the motion.
Friday, Nov. 3
A Newport News Circuit Court judge ruled that Zwerner can press forward with her $40 million lawsuit against the school system over claims of negligence by school administrators.
This means Zwerner could be entitled to much more than workers' compensation.
Wednesday, Nov. 15
A judge sentenced Taylor to 21 months in prison, and two years of probation after release, on federal gun charges.
Friday, Dec. 15
A judge sentenced Taylor to five years in prison, with three years suspended, for felony child neglect.
Friday, January 5
The day before a year since the shooting took place, Abby Zwerner sat down with News 3 to talk about her recovery.
Tuesday, April 9
Former Richneck Assistant Principal Ebony Parker has been charged with eight counts of child neglect in relation to the shooting.
According to court documents, the charges against Parker were filed on Mar. 11, and she is currently listed as a fugitive.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
