Like other American cities, Newport News, Virginia, is dealing this month with the aftermath of a school shooting.
The difference in this case is that the shooter is a boy only 6 years old. According to local police, the child opened fire in a classroom at Richneck Elementary School, injuring a teacher, who was taken to a hospital where she was hospitalized for a few days but is recovering.
The age of the shooter has left the community and the entire country wondering how a first-grade student obtained a firearm in the first place.
According to Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew, the shooting was not accidental. The teacher was “teaching when the child displayed a firearm, pointed it at her, and fired a shot.”
When police entered the classroom five minutes later, the boy was being restrained by a school staff member. He was combative and assaulted the staff member holding him. The police escorted him out of the building and into a police car. The boy was taken into custody. He underwent a medical evaluation at a hospital.
The firearm – which was legally purchased by the 6-year-old’s mother – was brought by the child from home to school in a backpack. It is unclear how the child gained access to the weapon.
The child’s family says he has a disability
The family of the 6-year-old released a statement through their attorney, saying they were very sorry for those affected and regretted not being at school with their son on the day of the shooting.
“Our son suffers from a severe disability and was under a care plan at school that included one of the parents attending school with him and accompanying him to classes every day,” the family said.
But the week of the shooting was the first time they were not in class with the child.
“We will mourn our absence on this day for the rest of our lives,” they said.
The weapon used was secured, they said. “Our family has always been committed to the responsible ownership of firearms and to storing firearms out of reach of children.”
School administrators were warned about the weapon on the day of the incident
The teacher’s attorney claimed that school administrators were warned about the boy on the day of the incident.
“Over the course of a few hours, three different times, the school administration was alerted by teachers and staff that the boy had a gun and was threatening people.
The student is likely too young to be prosecuted
It is unclear what legal consequences the student may or may not face.
Although it is technically possible for prosecutors to bring charges against a 6-year-old child in Virginia, which has no legal age limit for this, it is unlikely to lead to a prosecution.
The student is also likely too young for a detention center if found guilty.
Alternatively, the student may be considered a “child in need of services,” which would mean that the child was involved in behavior that puts themselves or others at serious risk. In this case, courts may intervene to ensure that the child and family receive the necessary services.
And should the parents be held accountable?
There is a scenario in which parents could be held criminally liable if it is proven that they did not keep the firearm properly locked and out of reach of their children. But in Virginia, this is only a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The family stated in their statement that they are cooperating with the investigations.