By Erik Ortiz -
NBC News
The mother of the 6-year-old boy who fatally shot a teacher at his Virginia school in January will face criminal charges in the attack, Newport News town prosecutor Howard Gwynn said Monday.
A grand jury indicted the woman, Deja Taylor, on
felony child neglect
and misdemeanor charges of recklessly leaving a loaded firearm in a manner that would endanger a child.
The indictment came a month after Gwynn said she would not press charges against the student, but that she was considering whether to hold an adult criminally responsible.
"Each criminal case is unique in its facts, and these facts support these charges, but our investigation into the shooting continues," Gwynn said.
In addition, he has asked a court to appoint a special grand jury to continue the investigation into possible security concerns that may have led to the shooting.
An attorney for Taylor did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges from NBC News.
[“Some days I can't get out of bed”: speaks Virginia teacher shot by high school student
6 years]
Virginia elementary school teacher Abigail Zwerner poses for a portrait in Virginia on March 20, 2023. Carlos Bernate for NBC News
A week ago, the injured teacher, Abigail Zwerner, filed a $40 million lawsuit alleging that Richneck Elementary School administrators shrugged off multiple warnings from staff and students who came forward on the day of the shooting, last 6 January, that the boy had a weapon and posed an imminent threat.
The student shot Zwerner with a 9mm pistol as she was sitting at a reading table in her first-grade classroom, according to authorities.
An assistant principal was accused of ignoring warnings, and resigned, and the superintendent, George Parker III, was removed by the board.
Newport News police praised Zwerner for managing to escort her class of about 20 students to safety even after she was seriously injured in her left hand and chest.
The school district has placed metal detectors at its centers, and posted a full-time security guard at Richneck.
Superintendent removed from Virginia school district where a teacher was shot by a child
Jan 26, 202300:33
“The safety and well-being of our staff and students is our highest priority,” the Newport News school board said, adding that its officers will do “whatever it takes to ensure a safe teaching and learning environment.”
