Why the Six-Year-Old Who Shot a Virginia Teacher Was Not Criminally Charged
Court records show that the six-year-old who shot first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, was not prosecuted because state law presumes children under seven cannot form criminal intent. The child was instead placed in inpatient psychiatric care for 227 days. Released police body-camera footage shows the aftermath of the January 2023 shooting and officers recovering a 9mm handgun from the classroom. School staff said the child had a history of behavioural difficulties and had previously attended school on a modified schedule. The child’s mother later pleaded guilty to child-neglect and federal firearm-related charges. The case also raised questions about school safety, access to firearms at home and whether child-protection agencies provided adequate support before the attack.
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