Metal detectors to be used in city where six-year-old shot teacher

Metal detectors to be used in city where six-year-old shot teacher

The Newport News School Board obtained permission Wednesday to buy 90 walk-through metallic detectors and has already begun ordering them, mentioned board chair Lisa Surles-Law.

The first state-of-the-art detectors might be put in at Richneck Elementary School, the place first-grade trainer Abigial Zwerner was shot.
Teacher Abby Zwerner was shot and wounded in Friday's shooting.
There had been an altercation between Abby Zwerner and the coed, who had the firearm, police mentioned. A single spherical was fired and no different college students have been concerned. (Abby Zwerner / Facebook)

Superintendent George Parker mentioned on Monday that the town already makes use of metallic detectors and random searches in excessive faculties and center faculties, however not at elementary buildings.

Surles-Law mentioned final week’s capturing modified that.

“The time is now to put metal detectors in all of our schools,” she said at a news conference.

The January 6 shooting occurred as Zwerner was teaching her class. Authorities said there was no warning and no struggle before the six-year-old boy pointed the gun at Zwerner and fired one round.

The bullet pierced Zwerner’s hand and struck her chest. The 25-year-old rushed her students out of the classroom before being rushed to the hospital. She has improved and is listed in stable condition, authorities said.

Residents of Newport News hold a candlelight vigil in honor of Richneck Elementary School first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner at the School Administration Building in Newport News, Va., Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Residents of Newport News hold a candlelight vigil in honor of Richneck Elementary School first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner at the School Administration Building in Newport News, Va., Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/John C. Clark)

Police Chief Steve Drew has described the shooting as “intentional.” A judge will determine what’s next for the child, who is being held at a medical facility following an emergency custody order.

Drew said the child used his mother’s gun, which had been purchased legally. It’s unclear how he gained access to the weapon.

A Virginia law prohibits leaving a loaded gun where it is accessible to a child under 14, a misdemeanour crime punishable with a maximum one-year prison sentence and US$2500 ($3600) fine.

Students and police gather outside of Richneck Elementary School after the shooting. (Nine)
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