Abigail Zwerner JMU Delta Gamma Alumna

[AZTheta]

Madness abounds.. You can google Ms. Zwerner's name for a plethora of news.

Ms. Zwerner, a JMU graduate, has been released from the hospital. More than thoughts and prayers are needed, IMO. Way, way more.

[PGD-GRAD]

She truly is to be commended…even after she was shot, she made sure every child in her class was safely out of the room.

There’s an ugly lawsuit brewing and there should be. School personnel either ignored or missed SEVERAL opportunities to discover and take that weapon—I hope she’s able to heal in every way.

[TLLK]

I just read that she is a Delta Gamma alumna. As a former elementary school teacher and now substitute, I cannot imagine the shock and terror that she faced that day. She is to be commended for ensuring that her students had safely evacuated the room despite her injuries.

[TLLK]

Abby has now given an interview to the Today show in which she gives details of that day and her recovery.



https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...dent-rcna75336

[ChioLu]

She has filed a $40M lawsuit against the Newport News schools.
https://t.co/kwPK8p2eIm
(You’ll need Apple News to read it.)

[bevinpiphi]

Originally Posted by ChioLu

She has filed a $40M lawsuit against the Newport News schools.
https://t.co/kwPK8p2eIm
(You’ll need Apple News to read it.)

Here's an article on NPR about it too.
I know it doesn't take the trauma away, but I hope she gets every penny. Every detail I read horrifies me - that administration was told at least 3 times and did nothing but dismiss staff concerns is awful.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by bevinpiphi

Here's an article on NPR about it too.
I know it doesn't take the trauma away, but I hope she gets every penny. Every detail I read horrifies me - that administration was told at least 3 times and did nothing but dismiss staff concerns is awful.

I too hope that Abby receives every single cent that she's asking for in her suit. I'm also hoping that the two administrators have their credentials pulled as well.

The administration was well aware that this was a first grade student with a history of violent outbursts towards faculty and peers but chose to not search his clothing. He had been previously transferred to another site for his kindergarten year. He had already had been placed on a modified day schedule which required a parent to be present on campus with him. I'm very concerned that he was permitted to be there without a parent on that day. The parents had declined placement in a special education (SPED) class and insisted on his being placed in a general education class. The SPED class would likely have fewer students as well as aides to assist.



Based upon what I have been reading for years now (prior to the pandemic), too many students, teachers, aides and other school staff members are facing increasing levels of violence from students in elementary school. As a former elementary teacher and now substitute, I am increasingly reluctant to recommend teaching as a career due to my concerns for their personal safety.

[carnation]

My husband used to teach psychologically disturbed high school students. What he dealt with was horrific but almost none of the teachers would agree to teach the 3-5 year olds. They were far worse than the high schoolers and that is terrifying to me.

[TLLK]

The mother of the six year old shooter has been indicted by the grand jury on felony charges of neglect. This is a sensible action and I am glad that the parent is facing consequences.



https://www.13newsnow.com/article/ne...8-b5f036e8c3eb

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The mother of the 6-year-old who shot a Richneck Elementary School teacher in January was indicted by a grand jury in Newport News Monday, the city's Commonwealth's Attorney's Office announced.

Deja Taylor was charged with felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a firearm that endangers a child.


The charges come after an investigation by the Newport News Police Department and the city's Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. The office said it "determined that the facts and the law" support charges against Taylor for those two offenses.

"Every criminal case is unique in its facts, and these faces support these charges, but our investigation into the shooting continues," Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn wrote.

Gwynn also announced that he filed a petition in Newport News Circuit Court to create a Special Grand Jury, which will continue an investigation into "any security issues that may have contributed to this shooting."

The investigation is set to continue until it is determined whether or not anyone else involved in the situation will face charges as well.

This comes in the aftermath of increased security measures at schools across Hampton Roads, as well as a $40 million lawsuit that was filed on behalf of the injured teacher, Abby Zwerner, against multiple administrators within Newport News Public Schools for alleged negligence.

[AZTheta]

Update: Ms. Zwerner has resigned her teaching position. I am disgusted by the school board’s “response”.

https://apnews.com/article/abby-zwer...1bd01083c16ec8

[andthen]

Originally Posted by AZTheta

Update: Ms. Zwerner has resigned her teaching position. I am disgusted by the school board’s “response”.

https://apnews.com/article/abby-zwer...1bd01083c16ec8

Thanks for sharing that, and the way she has been treated all around is awful!

This is just my own opinion, I feel like that entire school board needs to resign. I also say this from a place of my friend's so was killed in the parking lot of a high school in that same district following a high school basketball game. I feel like they need a whole new board and really look closely of finding ways to try and prevent things like this from happening for all of their students.

My heart goes out for Abby, I just can't imagine beyond the physical trauma but the emotional trauma as well.

[TLLK]

Here's the latest information on this case.


https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...-gun-rcna98995

New details emerge on how 6-year-old boy who shot Virginia teacher got mom's gun

The child told a teacher after the shooting at Richneck Elementary School that "I did it" and "I got my mom's gun last night," according to newly unsealed court documents.

[AZTheta]

I logged in to post the latest updates, and see that you’ve done so, thanks. If it’s true what the six year old is alleged to have said, this is so far beyond anything that can be excused or blamed or whatever spin someone might try to put on his actions. And his family as well. Yes those are poorly worded sentences. I’m seeing red and that’s my excuse. No time to rewrite or edit.

This is not going to end well. All the money in the world can’t restore Ms. Zwerner to who she was prior to the shooting. And I don’t have the professional training to address the multiple issues in the shooter and his family.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by AZTheta

I logged in to post the latest updates, and see that you’ve done so, thanks. If it’s true what the six year old is alleged to have said, this is so far beyond anything that can be excused or blamed or whatever spin someone might try to put on his actions. And his family as well. Yes those are poorly worded sentences. I’m seeing red and that’s my excuse. No time to rewrite or edit.

This is not going to end well. All the money in the world can’t restore Ms. Zwerner to who she was prior to the shooting. And I don’t have the professional training to address the multiple issues in the shooter and his family.

You're welcome.
I cannot imagine what it was like for his prior teacher(s) and the instructional aides who had to deal with his explosive behaviors. He's too young to have understood his actions, but he is also a threat to his peers. His actions towards them and other adults is the reason why he was a behavior transfer and a parent was required to accompany him to school each day.



You are correct in stating that this will not end well for him, his family and his teacher Ms. Zwerner.

[AZTheta]

^^^ well, TLLK, that school board and school district must have very deep pockets indeed. Imagine the machinations that are taking place. Ugh.

This is shaping up to be a $$$ legal battle. I’m frustrated. Those responsible are going to do their best to keep from being held accountable, or at a minimum, shift the blame and responsibility elsewhere IMO. Damn. Ms. Zwerner deserves to be made whole.

Any news on the sentencing (of the child’s parent) that was scheduled for 10/27?