A Newport News, Virginia teacher is set to file a lawsuit against the local school district after she was shot and critically wounded by a six-year-old student.

Last month, Abby Zwerner, 25, was shot in the middle of a lesson at Richneck Elementary School but it could have been avoided, according to reports. On the day of the shooting, school administrators were warned about a gun threat in three separate incidents. 

"Abby and these other teachers at Richneck Elementary School tried to do the right thing," Diane Toscano, an attorney for Zwerner, told CNN. "Over the course of a few hours, three different times –- three times -– school administration was warned by concerned teachers and employees that the boy had a gun on him at the school and was threatening people."

After the shooting, Zwerner was admitted to a local hospital in critical condition but has since progressed and has returned home to recover.

The gun retrieved was a legally-owned firearm belonging to the boy's mother who said it was in a secure location before it was brought to the school.

Authorities are still considering whether or not to bring charges against the parents.

Newport News schools superintendent George Parker III could lose his job as a result of the shooting and subsequent fallout. Board members are set to vote on whether or not he will retain his position.

Share:
More In Culture
Paying to Sponsor an Ocean
A small island in the Pacific is offering people the chance to help protect its waters by becoming a sponsor of the ocean.
On The Scene: Tatter Blue Library Explores World of Textiles
Textiles and fabrics play a major part in our lives. Jordana Munk Martin, founder of Blue: The Tatter Textile Library, spoke with Cheddar News about the dimensional cultural arts organization that focuses on textiles, why the library is painted blue and how it plays a major role in academics.
Load More