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Google PlayA 6-year-old boy was taken into custody Friday after allegedly shooting his first grade teacher.
According to CNN, the incident took place during an altercation between the pair at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Police didn’t provide details on what sparked the argument, but said the student had pulled out a handgun just moments before firing a single shot. The 30-year-old teacher, who has not been publicly identified, reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Virginia authorities say no students were harmed during the incident.
Police have not confirmed the type of gun that was used.
The school was placed on lockdown at between 2-3:20 p.m. local time. Parents and students were reportedly reunited at a gymnasium door.
“I’m in shock, and I’m disheartened,” Newport News Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. George Parker, said during a press conference. “We need to educate our children and we need to keep them safe. We need the community’s support, continued support, to make sure that guns are not available to youth and I’m sounding like a broken record today, because I continue to reiterate that: that we need to keep the guns out of the hands of our young people.”
Parker confirmed that the school district has a number of security measures that include random metal detection. Police are now trying to determine how the child obtained the firearm.
According to the Associated Press, a 6-year-old cannot be tried as an adult under Virginia law. Furthermore, the child is too young to be placed in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice if he’s ultimately found guilty.
“This is a red flag for the country,” Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said. “I do think that after this event, there is going to be a nationwide discussion on how these sorts of things can be prevented.”
