NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — One year later, the Newport News community continues to grapple with the 2023 shooting of a Richneck Elementary School teacher, a tragedy that has raised questions on school safety, administrative actions and how a child got his hands on a gun.
The shooting happened on Jan. 6, 2023, inside a classroom when a six-year-old boy shot first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner, 25. Her injuries were critical, but she made progress in recovering and has since been released from the hospital.
The student was taken into custody and to a hospital to be evaluated and cared for, according to Newport News police. Because he's a minor, his identity is unknown.
Zwerner has since filed a $40 million lawsuit against Newport News Public Schools and the shooter's mother, Deja Taylor, was charged at the local and federal levels. She is currently serving her prison sentence for federal charges.
Here's everything we know about how the shooting and its aftermath unfolded.
January 6, 2023 – Student shot teacher at Richneck Elementary
In a news conference, city officials said the shooting was not accidental, that it happened in a first-grade classroom when a student started arguing with a teacher and that the teacher's injuries were life-threatening. Everyone else in the school building was safe.
The school was put on lockdown around 2 p.m. as police responded to reports of a shooting. It was lifted around 3:20 p.m., and officers reunited parents with their students at a reunification site.
January 7, 2023 – Teacher identified as Abby Zwerner
James Madison University confirmed the teacher is an alumna of their school, Abby Zwerner.
"We offer prayers and best wishes for Abby's health and recovery and want to do all we can to support Abby, her family and friends, fellow teachers and current students and their families at this incredibly difficult time," JMU President Jonathan R. Alger wrote in a statement.
January 9, 2023 – Police detailed how the shooting unfolded
During a press conference, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew offered the first description of how the shooting happened.
He said Zwerner was teaching when the student pulled a handgun out, pointed it at the teacher, and fired at her. He said there was no physical struggle over the gun preceding the gunshot, and no indication (at this point) that they were having an argument.
The gun wasn't in his backpack, it was on the child's person, Drew said. The bullet went through Zwerner's outstretched hand and lodged in her upper chest.
Another staff member was nearby, and she went into the classroom to restrain the little boy until police and sheriff's deputies arrived.
The first 911 call about this shooting came in at 1:59 p.m., and officers were in the classroom at 2:04 p.m. Medics reached Zwerner at 2:09 p.m.
READ MORE | Newport News police, school officials say 6-year-old allegedly shot teacher while she was instructing
January 12, 2023 - NNPS announced purchase of metal detectors for all schools
Newport News School Board Chairwoman Lisa Surles-Law announced that all schools in the city would get metal detectors as officials grappled with how to improve safety.
Surles-Law said the detectors would go to Richneck first, so they will be there when the building reopens. The rest of the detectors will go in every school in the district, with some schools having more than one.
All students, faculty and staff will have to walk through the detectors.
January 13, 2023 – Student's backpack was searched before shooting, school officials confirmed
During a virtual town hall, Superintendent Dr. George Parker III said the boy accused in the shooting arrived at school late that morning, and that his backpack was searched after someone reported he may have had a weapon.
The person who searched the child's bag didn't find a weapon. The school division did not say who searched the boy's bag.
On the same day, a spokesperson confirmed that Karen Lynch, an extended learning supervisor for the school system, was now leading the Richneck Elementary team, taking on some of the responsibilities of the principal.
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January 19, 2023 – Family of student says gun used was 'secured'
The family of a 6-year-old boy released a statement saying that the gun he used had been "secured."
The family's statement was released by an attorney and didn't elaborate further on where the gun was kept. The family also was not identified.
The family also said that the boy "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." However, the statement said the parents did not accompany him to class the day of the shooting.
On the same day, school officials announced plans to transition Richneck students back to the building but said an opening date would come later.
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January 23, 2023 – Officials announced reopening date for Richneck
More than two weeks after the shooting, a text message sent by the school division to Richneck families said the school will "reopen for all students on Monday, Jan. 30."
January 25, 2023 – Abby Zwerner's attorney announced lawsuit; School leadership changes confirmed
The Newport News School Board approved a separation agreement and severance with Superintendent Dr. George Parker III during a special meeting.
Surles-Law said Parker was "a capable division leader who has served Newport News for nearly five years through some extremely challenging circumstances. This decision is based on the future trajectory and needs of our school division."
Earlier, the attorney representing Zwerner announced her intent to file a lawsuit against Newport News Public Schools.
Attorney Diane Toscano claimed that teachers and employees warned administrators three different times that the student had a gun and was threatening people the day of the shooting.
On the same day, a school spokesperson confirmed that Dr. Ebony Parker resigned as Richneck's assistant principal.
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January 30, 2023 – Students return to the classroom
Weeks after the shooting, students returned to the classroom at Richneck. New safety precautions, such as a metal detector at the entrance, were put in place at the school.
The consensus of the children 13News Now spoke to walking out of class was that they missed their classmates and were bored during their three weeks at home.
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February 1, 2023 – NNPS confirms Richneck principal reassigned
The principal at Richneck Elementary School has been reassigned, weeks after a 6-year-old student shot his first-grade teacher, a spokesperson for Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) confirmed.
Michelle Price with NNPS said Briana Foster-Newton is still employed with the school division, but she didn't specify in what capacity.
On the same day, employment attorney Pamela Branch announced she would hold a press conference in Richmond to issue Newton's first statement since the Jan. 6 shooting.
February 2, 2023 – Richneck principal didn't know about gun, attorney says
A lawyer for Briana Foster-Newton, employment attorney Pamela Branch, held a press conference in Richmond, saying the reassigned principal wasn't warned that a 6-year-old student had brought a gun on campus the day the boy shot his teacher.
"The fact of the matter is that those who were aware that the student may have had a gun on the premises that day did not report this to Mrs. Newton at all," Branch said. "I repeat: Mrs. Newton was unfortunately not one of the administrators who was informed by those in school that day who had this critical information."
The statement came after Zwerner's attorney announced her intention to sue Newport News Public Schools (NNPS), claiming that Richneck administrators failed to act after several warnings that a student brought a gun to school.
February 21, 2023 – Investigative report on Richneck shooting handed over to Commonwealth's Attorney
In his "Chat with the Chief" discussion on Facebook, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said his department handed over the full investigative report to the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney, Howard Gwynn.
He described the case as a "complex investigation" that involved interviews with dozens of people, including students, Abby Zwerner, school officials, teachers, the family members of the boy responsible for the shooting, parents of students and others who submitted tips.
RELATED: NNPD Chief Drew: Investigative report on Richneck shooting handed over to Commonwealth's Attorney
March 8, 2023 – Prosecutor says law doesn't support charging 6-year-old who shot Virginia teacher
Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn said that he does not believe the law supports charging a 6-year-old child with aggravated assault.
"The general consensus [among experts across the country] is that a 6-year-old cannot form the requisite criminal intent to be guilty of an aggravated assault," Gwynn said over the phone with 13News Now. "I think it is problematical to assume that a 6-year-old understands the criminal justice system enough to be competent to stand trial."
April 3, 2023 – Abby Zwerner's legal team officially files $40M lawsuit against Newport News school officials
The legal team for Abby Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit on Monday against several Newport News Public Schools officials.
Zwerner's attorneys accused school leaders of "recklessly disregarding the safety" of everyone on school grounds for ignoring several warnings regarding the six-year-old student.
The lawsuit was filed in Newport News Circuit Court against Foster-Newton, the city's school board, former Superintendent Dr. George Parker and former Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker.
April 10, 2023 – Mother of 6-year-old Richneck shooter indicted by Newport News grand jury
Deja Taylor, the mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot Abby Zwerner, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a firearm that endangers a child.
Police said Taylor legally purchased the gun and her attorney, James Ellenson, has said the gun was secured on a top shelf in her closet and had a trigger lock.
April 11, 2023 – Prosecutors launch special investigation into Richneck employees' role in shooting
Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn requested a special grand jury to investigate if administrators' actions contributed to a 6-year-old boy shooting of Abby Zwerner.
It came after the first-grade teacher's attorneys claimed administrators ignored serious warnings that the boy had a gun on the day of the shooting.
"These activities specifically include investigating whether there were any security failures which contributed to the shooting," Howard Gywnn wrote in his petition filed in court "An investigation is warranted to determine the full scope of any criminal activity that occurred, the circumstances surrounding such activity, and to make such other recommendations as necessary to remedy those security failures in hopes that such a situation never occurs again."
April 13 and 14, 2023 – Deja Taylor turns herself in, appears in court
Days after her indictment, Deja Taylor turned herself in at the Newport News City Jail. She posted $5,000 and was released on bond.
The next day, she appeared in Newport News Circuit Court for her arraignment, where her charges were read and a date for a bench trial was set for August 15.
In brief remarks with reporters after the hearing, Taylor's attorney, James Ellenson, had said they hoped to reach an agreement with the Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. He also referred to certain stressors Taylor experienced leading up to the shooting.
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April 26, 2023 – Newport News School Board files motion to dismiss lawsuit, claiming worker's comp coverage
On this day, the law firm representing three of the four defendants in the lawsuit filed by Abby Zwerner filed a motion in Newport News Circuit Court to have the suit dismissed.
The motion argued that because Zwerner's claims fall under Virginia’s Workers’ Compensation Act, they are in the jurisdiction of the Workers’ Compensation Commission and not within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.
The attorneys representing the defendants cited the “unfortunate reality” that teaching in this country, even for elementary school teachers like Zwerner, isn’t without its dangers.
May 10, 2023 – Deja Taylor speaks out in exclusive 'GMA' interview
The mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot Richneck Elementary School teacher Abby Zwerner spoke out in an exclusive interview with ABC's "Good Morning America."
In the interview, Taylor revealed that her son's actions could be linked to his ADHD diagnosis. She said she is willing to take responsibility for him because he can't take responsibility for himself, ABC News reports.
Taylor explained that her son "actually really liked" Zwerner and said he felt ignored during the week of the shooting.
Referring to an incident two days before the shooting where the boy allegedly broke Zwerner's phone, Taylor said it happened after Zwerner said she told him to sit down when he was asking her a question. As a result, the boy was suspended.
"You know, most children, when they are trying to talk to you, and if you easily just brush them off, or you ask them to sit down, or you're dealing with something else and you ask them to go and sit down, at 6 [years old] you -- in your mind would believe that, 'Somebody's not listening to me,' and you have a tantrum," Taylor told ABC.
June 5 and 12, 2023 – Deja Taylor faces federal gun charges, pleads guilty
Months after being charged in Newport News, Deja Taylor was charged by the Department of Justice with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
According to court documents, Taylor made a false claim on the firearms transaction form she filled out when she bought a 9mm handgun in 2022. Section G of that form asks, "Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?"
Prosecutors said Taylor lied when she answered no, and that she was a marijuana user.
Several days after Taylor was charged on the federal level, she pleaded guilty to the charges.
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August 8, 2023 – Child who shot Richneck teacher admitted to shooting, court documents claim
Court documents obtained by 13News Now revealed more details on how the Richneck shooting unfolded, and what the child who shot his teacher allegedly said.
Detectives interviewed a school employee who restrained the child, who said he made a profane statement admitting that he shot his teacher. When the employee was restraining the child, he allegedly said, "I shot that b**** dead," "I did it," and "I got my mom's gun last night."
August 15, 2023 – Deja Taylor pleads guilty to felony child neglect
Deja Taylor was originally set to face a bench trial for her charges filed by Newport News prosecutors, but she entered into a plea instead.
She pled guilty to felony child neglect, but prosecutors set aside the charge of endangering a child by reckless storage of a firearm.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors said they will not seek a sentence that is longer than state sentencing guidelines, which call for six months in jail or prison.
September 21, 2023 – Judge gives Deja Taylor second chance to stay out of jail, despite bond violations
A judge allowed Deja Taylor to remain on bond after federal prosecutors said she failed multiple drug tests and didn't show up to some of her meetings.
The decision came after prosecutors said the 26-year-old mother violated her bond agreement while awaiting sentencing for federal gun charges she pled guilty to.
Taylor's attorney, James Ellenson, argued that, for a chronic user of marijuana, the drug can live in the body for up to 30 days, and that the test results may not have indicated consistent use and violations.
According to Taylor's probation officer, Taylor had a negative drug test on Sept. 11 and she had shown up to her latest phase testing, showing some progress.
The judge sided with Ellenson, saying the recent negative test proved she was making some progress. As a condition of keeping her bond, if Taylor has a positive test, the judge will be notified immediately and her bond will be revoked.
November 3, 2023 – Judge denies claims that Richneck shooting injuries are covered under workers' comp
A judge determined that Abby Zwerner's $40 million lawsuit could move forward, denying Newport News Public Schools' claims that her injuries are covered under workers' compensation.
In the lawsuit, the former teacher said administrators ignored vital warnings of the boy having a gun the day of the shooting. Because she suffered permanent bodily injuries, physical pain, mental anguish and lost earnings, Zwerner is seeking compensatory damages.
In response, while agreeing that a teacher shouldn't expect to get shot by a student, Newport News Public Schools argued that Zwerner suffered a workplace injury and should be covered under workers' compensation. It provides up to nearly 10 years of pay without tax and lifetime medical care for injuries.
Hoffman disagreed with the school board, concluding that Zwerner's injuries “did not arise out of her employment” and therefore did not “fall within the exclusive provisions of workers’ compensation coverage.”
November 15, 2023 – Deja Taylor to spend nearly 2 years in federal prison for marijuana use while owning gun
Deja Taylor was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for federal gun crimes. Her 21-month sentence was the recommended sentencing offered by prosecutors.
The federal charges against Taylor come at a time when marijuana is legal in many states, including Virginia. However, Judge Mark Davis said in court this case is not about the use of marijuana while owning a handgun, but rather about how a series of reckless decisions resulted in the tragedy of the Richneck Elementary School shooting.
Prosecutors referred to the fact that after Taylor violated her bond agreement by failing multiple drug tests for marijuana and not showing up for counseling, she continued to fail a few more drug tests leading up to the end of October. That resulted in a total of eight failed tests.
December 15, 2023 – Deja Taylor sentenced to two years in prison on state child neglect charge in Newport News
A month after her sentencing on federal charges, Deja Taylor was sentenced to two years in prison on her state child neglect charge.
During the sentencing hearing, the judge did not hold back in reprimanding Taylor, and told the court "A parent's ultimate job is to keep their child safe and from bad influences, Miss Taylor has abdicated most if not all of those responsibilities."
The judge sentenced Taylor to five years total, but with three years suspended. She will also serve two years of probation when she is released. Taylor's state prison sentence will be served consecutively, meaning it will begin after her federal prison sentence is completed.
Even though Taylor did not pull the trigger, a judge ruled she is liable for the “reckless decisions" that led to the shooting.
January 5, 2024 – Abby Zwerner speaks with 13News Now for first time
Days before the one year Abby Zwerner spoke with 13News Now about her struggles and her hopes for the future, one year after she was shot by a 6-year-old student while teaching at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News.
Speaking to 13News Now inside her attorney's office, Toscano Law Group, she says it's the career that was taken away from her.
"The thought never crossed my mind that I was going to be shot by a 6-year-old in my classroom," Zwerner remarked.