6 year old who shot his elementary school teacher of Newport News, Virginia, will not face charges, according to prosecutors in the case in January, although it has not yet been decided whether any adults will be criminally responsible.
The prosecutor said that a child that young could not reasonably stand trial, and that pursuing charges would be “very problematic”, as he or she would not be able to understand the legal system, the basis of the charges or provide adequate support. to his advice.
“We don’t believe the law supports a 6-year-old being charged and convicted of aggravated assault,” Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynne told WTKR.
Kristen Zeiss/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Charges to a child this young are not prohibited under Virginia law.
Richneck primary school teacher who was shot Abigail Zwarnerwas has been repeatedly warned School officials were concerned about the boy, even warning administrators that the boy might be armed on the day of the shooting. Zwerner’s attorney announced his intention to file a lawsuit against the school district.
The boy’s parents maintained in a statement through their lawyer that their son suffered from a “severe disability,” But declined to give more specifics. They also insisted that the gun their son used to shoot his teacher was “safe” at their home.
Zwerner’s legal team told CBS News they had “no comment.”
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