Virginia Mother of Six-Year-Old Student Who Shot Teacher Charged

A Virginia grand jury has indicted the mother of the six-year-old student who shot his first-grade teacher in January.

According to a news release from the office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the child’s mother, Deja Taylor, was charged Monday with felony child neglect and misdemeanor recklessly leaving a loaded firearm so as to endanger a child.

The charges come after a “thorough investigation” into the incident where Taylor’s son shot his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, on January 6 at Richneck Elementary School. The shooting left the 25-year-old teacher in the hospital with gunshot wounds to her hand and chest.

“Every criminal case is unique in its facts, and these facts support these charges, but our investigation into the shooting continues,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney, Mr. Howard Gwynn.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney has also requested that the investigation into any security issues that may have contributed to this shooting be continued.

“The safety and security of Newport News students is of utmost importance. The Special Grand Jury will investigate to determine whether additional charges against additional persons are justified by the facts and the law,” said Mr. Gwynn. “If the Special Grand Jury determines that additional persons are criminally responsible under the law, it can return additional indictments.

Taylor is set to turn herself in later this week, according to James Ellenson, one of the attorneys for the family.

Last week, Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit against school administrators, alleging they ignored warnings from staff and students that the boy had a gun.

Gwynn said last month that the student would not be criminally charged.