The teacher, Abigail Zwerner, 25 ( Victim)
Recently unsealed search warrants reportedly reveal the disturbing statement made by a 6-year-old Virginia student after allegedly shooting his teacher in a classroom. “I shot that b—- dead,” the boy reportedly said on January 6, 2023, immediately after the incident, as disclosed by Amy Kovac, a reading specialist at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. Kovac swiftly intervened and detained the child until the police arrived.
The unsealed warrants, unveiled by local news sources, describe how Kovac heard a gunshot and saw children fleeing the classroom. The teacher, Abigail Zwerner, 25, also emerged wounded before collapsing in the front office and being hospitalized. Kovac found the boy next to his desk with the gun on the floor.
The boy was reported to have also said, “I did it. I got my mom’s gun last night.” Earlier that day, two students informed Kovac about the boy having a gun in his backpack. A subsequent search during recess did not uncover the firearm.
Zwerner’s legal team filed a $40 million lawsuit against the Newport News School Board and administrators, alleging prior warnings. Zwerner recounted that she was conducting a reading activity when the boy pulled out the gun and fired at her.
The warrant highlighted several “disciplinary incidents” involving physical violence and threats by the same student. The boy’s former kindergarten teacher also shared an incident of being choked by him in 2021.
Shooter Deja Taylor
Although the boy remains uncharged, his mother, Deja Taylor, faces charges of child neglect and firearm-related offenses. Taylor has also pleaded guilty to federal charges. Her attorney cited her mental health struggles due to pregnancy complications.
The case continues with scheduled court appearances for both Taylor and her son.
