Newly released body camera footage reveals shocking moments following the tragic shooting incident at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, where a 6-year-old boy shot his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, on January 6, 2023. The video captures the child’s defiance as he interacts with police officers, expressing a disregard for authority.
In the footage, the young shooter can be heard cursing at the officers who respond to the scene. “Where is the weapon?” one officer inquires, to which the child replies, “It’s over there,” while using profane language. At one point, he challenges the officers, saying, “If you want a piece of me, come it all, b—-.” This unsettling behavior raises questions about the environment and influences surrounding such a young individual.
The incident left Zwerner with serious injuries, as the bullet struck her hand and lodged in her chest, leading to her subsequent civil trial against the school’s former assistant principal, Ebony Parker. Testimonies revealed that the bullet’s removal posed significant risks, and Zwerner recounted her near-death experience, stating, “I thought I was on my way to heaven or in heaven.” She was awarded $10 million in damages after a jury found Parker grossly negligent for ignoring warnings about the child’s possession of a firearm.
Further compounding the tragedy, the child expressed that he had taken the gun from his mother, stating, “My mom had that. I stole that from my mom.” The footage showcases moments of tension as the boy appears to curse at another teacher attempting to restrain him. Additionally, the police noted that he still had gun residue on his hands.
Following the shooting, the child’s mother, Deja Taylor, faced legal repercussions, receiving a two-year prison sentence for felony child neglect and 21 months for a federal weapons charge. The child’s behavior during the incident and the circumstances that led to the shooting continue to spark discussions about gun safety and child supervision in households.
Photo credit: Newport News Police
