Teacher shot at Newport News elementary school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perfect example of IDEA run amok. Without an IEP, kid would not have been so protected for his terrible behavior.

Don’t come at me. I fully support inclusion and disability services within reason. But the law needs major overhaul. Major. And not just for this.

I don’t think he had an IEP, actually.

There is no way this child didn’t have some type of formalized plan.

No formalized IEP written by intelligent, well educated professionals would say that a child's drug using parents should be in his classroom every day. That school had highly incompetent administrators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perfect example of IDEA run amok. Without an IEP, kid would not have been so protected for his terrible behavior.

Don’t come at me. I fully support inclusion and disability services within reason. But the law needs major overhaul. Major. And not just for this.

I don’t think he had an IEP, actually.

+1 It was a poorly run school with incompetent leaders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The defense is trying to pin the responsibility on “Mrs. Kovak”. She’s a reading specialist who held down “JT” after he shot the teacher.

How in the world is the reading specialist at fault?

Basically, they’re saying that because she did not search his backpack when she had the opportunity to do so. They asked if she was intimidated by a six-year-old, so mocking her abilities. They also questioned her in her lack of urgency at the playground when they suspected he took “something” out of his bag.

They don’t have much of a defense so I guess they have to reach for something, but the idea that the reading specialist is responsible instead of the school administrator who was warned no less than 4 times that this kid might be armed is laughable.

My feelings are that not only is the school administrator responsible but this shooting could’ve been prevented at other points, so the defense has a point. Had somebody searched his backpack as soon as kids started telling them that the boy had a gun.

However, they were very concerned about protecting the shooters dignity and they did not search his person because the administrator told them to hold until the mom came later in the day.

They were all very concerned with the chain of command and their abilities to take action without permission.

It’s not a point that absolves their client of any responsibility though. She was highest ranking official at the school that day and was directly informed of people’s concerns on multiple occasions. So the idea that a reading specialist subordinate to her somehow bears the responsibility instead of her is ridiculous.

+1 totally absurd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perfect example of IDEA run amok. Without an IEP, kid would not have been so protected for his terrible behavior.

Don’t come at me. I fully support inclusion and disability services within reason. But the law needs major overhaul. Major. And not just for this.

I don’t think he had an IEP, actually.

There is no way this child didn’t have some type of formalized plan.

No formalized IEP written by intelligent, well educated professionals would say that a child's drug using parents should be in his classroom every day. That school had highly incompetent administrators.

+1 Inept, incompetent, and deceitful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have not read all 91 pages of this thread. As a teacher, I have been interested in this case but found it hard to follow all the details.

I went through and combed reports I could find online, and also results of current testimony. This is the summary I have so far with just a few of my own comments.


The boy JT’s behavioral issues began in kindergarten at Richneck Elementary, when he strangled and choked a teacher from behind, and also pulled up a female classmate’s dress and touched her inappropriately on the school playground. Despite this violent act, school officials did not create a behavioral plan. Administrators later decided he should attend a different school, but he returned to Richneck Elementary for first grade without completing kindergarten.

Once back, JT's troubling behaviors resumed. The boy was required to be accompanied by a parent at school “because of his violent tendencies" (although they did not background check his parents and apparently didn't know or care that his father had a criminal background).

Two days before the incident, the boy had been suspended for smashing teacher Abby Zwerner’s phone. The day of the incident was the first day back from suspension, and for some reason, the boy was allowed to come to school without a parent accompanying him.

On January 6, 2023, a series of escalating warnings went unaddressed by Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker. (The principal was present in the building, but was never contacted by any of the teachers nor by the AP so she was unaware of these events and warnings.)

11:15–11:30 a.m. – Following protocol, first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner (fairly young and with just 2 years experience, I think) notified Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker that the 6-year-old had threatened (earlier that morning) to beat up a kindergartner and had been aggressive with a security officer during lunch. The reading specialist, Amy Kovac , an experienced teacher, was in Dr. Parker’s office at the time and testified that Dr. Parker never looked up from her computer as Zwerner reported the threats. Instead of contacting security or removing the child, the AP Dr. Ebony Parker told Amy Kovac that Zwerner could “call his mom to come pick him up.”

My comments: So right away, notice the message that Ms. Zwerner is getting from her admin. Here's a kid who smashed her phone, has a history of violence, and is *supposed* to have a parent in with him every day and that didn't happen. The AP could not care less that the kid is back from his one day suspension and already is acting out.

between 11:30 and 12:30 – Two students told Reading specialist Amy Kovac that JT had a gun in his backpack. Ms Kovac went to Ms Zwerer's classroom and pulled the 1st grader aside and talked to him. When she questioned him, he refused to let her check the bag, saying, “No one is getting that bag.” Ms. Kovac immediately reported this to Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker, who again took no action.

Recess period (around 12:30 p.m.) – Reading specialist Amy Kovac decided to wait until recess, when the boy was out of the classroom, to search his backpack. She found only school materials, but no gun. Phew... but while she was walking back to her classroom, Kovac received a text from Abby Zwerner who was outside at recess, saying either that she, herself had seen JT take something from his bag and put it in his pocket, or that a child told her that is what he had seen. Amy Kovac again immediately went to the AP's office to report this new concern. Dr. Parker dismissed the concern, responding, “He has little pockets.”

The AP didn't inform the principal of any of these reports or concerns. She didn't get up and leave her office to go check things out. She didn't do anything.

Outside at Recess – Lead first-grade teacher Jennifer West said Abby Zwerner reported that a student had seen the boy move something from his backpack to his coat. Jennifer West watched the boy and another student, “R,” behind a tree for 15–20 minutes. When questioned, “R,” visibly upset, told her the boy had a gun and had threatened to “hurt us, blow us up.” Jennifer West immediately followed protocol and called the office..

My comments: Remember, these are teachers supervising classes of grade 1 students outside on a playground/recess area. They are BOTH calling the office and calling experienced teachers for help and guidance as to how to handle this boy who again, remember, was deemed so violent and explosive that he wasn't even allowed to be in school without a one-to-one aide (his parents) who were allowed to not be there that day.

Guidance counselor Rolonzo Rawles presumably was in the office and heard this call, or was somehow made aware of what was going on. He asked the AP Dr. Parker for permission to search the student (not his backpack - his body/clothing). The AP told him to “wait it out” because the school day was nearly over.

Around 1:00 PM I assume the class came in from recess. I assume 1-2 PM was their reading instruction time. At some point, the guidance counselor went to Ms. Zwerner's classroom and told her that they did not have permission from the AP to search the boy's pockets and clothing. Ms. Zwerner was sitting at her reading desk, instructing students, when...

Around 2:00 p.m., JT pulled his mother’s handgun from his pocket and shot Abby Zwerner in the hand and chest while she was teaching. The gun jammed after the first shot, though it still contained seven rounds.

Despite her injuries, Zwerner guided her students from the classroom to the school office before collapsing.
Ms. Kovac testified that she heard a gunshot near the end of the school day and ran into the classroom as children were “screaming and running out.” She saw Zwerner bleeding and immediately contained JT (grabbed and held him firmly) and also managed to call 911, stating, “This is Richneck. A teacher’s been shot, I have the shooter.” Police confirmed that none of the students (about 16-20 according to their report) were physically injured during the incident. Police also confirmed they saw a teacher contraining JT and that the teacher was being hit and kicked by him.

Investigators later found that Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker had been informed multiple times throughout the day of threats and possible possession of a weapon but failed to alert the principal, the school resource officer, or police, which was a clear violation of the district’s crisis management policy. There was no school security officer on duty at the time of the shooting although there was one in the morning, it appears.

Principal Briana Foster-Newton, though present in the building, was never informed of these reports and was found not criminally liable.

Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker resigned shortly after the shooting. She was indicted by a special grand jury on eight felony counts of child neglect/abuse in connection with the shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport  News, Virginia.

JT’s mother Deja Tyler was sentenced to two years in prison; she pled guilty to a state charge of felony child neglect. She is also serving 21 months for two federal felony charges, the unlawful use of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm and making a false statement while purchasing the firearm.

Newport News School District washed its hands of the whole thing. They say they had procedures in place, the administrator just didn’t follow them.

I’ve followed this case closely, including live commentary from parents who were unlucky enough to have kids in that class. This is a great summary, and it’s so upsetting to re-read.
Where even to start. Asking a 6 year old for permission (!) on suspicion there is a gun in his backpack? In what world do you ask such a child for permission for anything, in particular involving a credible threat to the lives of the students? In what world do you let such a child tell you what to do? In what world does a 6 yr old give a security officer problems? How are they letting a 5 year old choke a teacher nearly unconscious and still go to that same school? Who lets criminal parents be present in the classroom every day? The list of insanity goes on and on. I hope everyone gets totally slammed with the repercussions of this. Two years for the mother is a bad joke.

[Anonymous]

Is there court today? I don’t see anything on court TV for it. I’ve been following this trial and legally I don’t know about the assistant principal however I see that all around too much hesitation about searching a six-year-old backpack. There is a lot of blame to go around and a lot of ineptitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there court today? I don’t see anything on court TV for it. I’ve been following this trial and legally I don’t know about the assistant principal however I see that all around too much hesitation about searching a six-year-old backpack. There is a lot of blame to go around and a lot of ineptitude.

Probably no court today since it’s Election Day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not read all 91 pages of this thread. As a teacher, I have been interested in this case but found it hard to follow all the details.

I went through and combed reports I could find online, and also results of current testimony. This is the summary I have so far with just a few of my own comments.


The boy JT’s behavioral issues began in kindergarten at Richneck Elementary, when he strangled and choked a teacher from behind, and also pulled up a female classmate’s dress and touched her inappropriately on the school playground. Despite this violent act, school officials did not create a behavioral plan. Administrators later decided he should attend a different school, but he returned to Richneck Elementary for first grade without completing kindergarten.

Once back, JT's troubling behaviors resumed. The boy was required to be accompanied by a parent at school “because of his violent tendencies" (although they did not background check his parents and apparently didn't know or care that his father had a criminal background).

Two days before the incident, the boy had been suspended for smashing teacher Abby Zwerner’s phone. The day of the incident was the first day back from suspension, and for some reason, the boy was allowed to come to school without a parent accompanying him.

On January 6, 2023, a series of escalating warnings went unaddressed by Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker. (The principal was present in the building, but was never contacted by any of the teachers nor by the AP so she was unaware of these events and warnings.)

11:15–11:30 a.m. – Following protocol, first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner (fairly young and with just 2 years experience, I think) notified Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker that the 6-year-old had threatened (earlier that morning) to beat up a kindergartner and had been aggressive with a security officer during lunch. The reading specialist, Amy Kovac , an experienced teacher, was in Dr. Parker’s office at the time and testified that Dr. Parker never looked up from her computer as Zwerner reported the threats. Instead of contacting security or removing the child, the AP Dr. Ebony Parker told Amy Kovac that Zwerner could “call his mom to come pick him up.”

My comments: So right away, notice the message that Ms. Zwerner is getting from her admin. Here's a kid who smashed her phone, has a history of violence, and is *supposed* to have a parent in with him every day and that didn't happen. The AP could not care less that the kid is back from his one day suspension and already is acting out.

between 11:30 and 12:30 – Two students told Reading specialist Amy Kovac that JT had a gun in his backpack. Ms Kovac went to Ms Zwerer's classroom and pulled the 1st grader aside and talked to him. When she questioned him, he refused to let her check the bag, saying, “No one is getting that bag.” Ms. Kovac immediately reported this to Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker, who again took no action.

Recess period (around 12:30 p.m.) – Reading specialist Amy Kovac decided to wait until recess, when the boy was out of the classroom, to search his backpack. She found only school materials, but no gun. Phew... but while she was walking back to her classroom, Kovac received a text from Abby Zwerner who was outside at recess, saying either that she, herself had seen JT take something from his bag and put it in his pocket, or that a child told her that is what he had seen. Amy Kovac again immediately went to the AP's office to report this new concern. Dr. Parker dismissed the concern, responding, “He has little pockets.”

The AP didn't inform the principal of any of these reports or concerns. She didn't get up and leave her office to go check things out. She didn't do anything.

Outside at Recess – Lead first-grade teacher Jennifer West said Abby Zwerner reported that a student had seen the boy move something from his backpack to his coat. Jennifer West watched the boy and another student, “R,” behind a tree for 15–20 minutes. When questioned, “R,” visibly upset, told her the boy had a gun and had threatened to “hurt us, blow us up.” Jennifer West immediately followed protocol and called the office..

My comments: Remember, these are teachers supervising classes of grade 1 students outside on a playground/recess area. They are BOTH calling the office and calling experienced teachers for help and guidance as to how to handle this boy who again, remember, was deemed so violent and explosive that he wasn't even allowed to be in school without a one-to-one aide (his parents) who were allowed to not be there that day.

Guidance counselor Rolonzo Rawles presumably was in the office and heard this call, or was somehow made aware of what was going on. He asked the AP Dr. Parker for permission to search the student (not his backpack - his body/clothing). The AP told him to “wait it out” because the school day was nearly over.

Around 1:00 PM I assume the class came in from recess. I assume 1-2 PM was their reading instruction time. At some point, the guidance counselor went to Ms. Zwerner's classroom and told her that they did not have permission from the AP to search the boy's pockets and clothing. Ms. Zwerner was sitting at her reading desk, instructing students, when...

Around 2:00 p.m., JT pulled his mother’s handgun from his pocket and shot Abby Zwerner in the hand and chest while she was teaching. The gun jammed after the first shot, though it still contained seven rounds.

Despite her injuries, Zwerner guided her students from the classroom to the school office before collapsing.
Ms. Kovac testified that she heard a gunshot near the end of the school day and ran into the classroom as children were “screaming and running out.” She saw Zwerner bleeding and immediately contained JT (grabbed and held him firmly) and also managed to call 911, stating, “This is Richneck. A teacher’s been shot, I have the shooter.” Police confirmed that none of the students (about 16-20 according to their report) were physically injured during the incident. Police also confirmed they saw a teacher contraining JT and that the teacher was being hit and kicked by him.

Investigators later found that Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker had been informed multiple times throughout the day of threats and possible possession of a weapon but failed to alert the principal, the school resource officer, or police, which was a clear violation of the district’s crisis management policy. There was no school security officer on duty at the time of the shooting although there was one in the morning, it appears.

Principal Briana Foster-Newton, though present in the building, was never informed of these reports and was found not criminally liable.

Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker resigned shortly after the shooting. She was indicted by a special grand jury on eight felony counts of child neglect/abuse in connection with the shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport  News, Virginia.

JT’s mother Deja Tyler was sentenced to two years in prison; she pled guilty to a state charge of felony child neglect. She is also serving 21 months for two federal felony charges, the unlawful use of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm and making a false statement while purchasing the firearm.

Newport News School District washed its hands of the whole thing. They say they had procedures in place, the administrator just didn’t follow them.

I’ve followed this case closely, including live commentary from parents who were unlucky enough to have kids in that class. This is a great summary, and it’s so upsetting to re-read.
Where even to start. Asking a 6 year old for permission (!) on suspicion there is a gun in his backpack? In what world do you ask such a child for permission for anything, in particular involving a credible threat to the lives of the students? In what world do you let such a child tell you what to do? In what world does a 6 yr old give a security officer problems? How are they letting a 5 year old choke a teacher nearly unconscious and still go to that same school? Who lets criminal parents be present in the classroom every day? The list of insanity goes on and on. I hope everyone gets totally slammed with the repercussions of this. Two years for the mother is a bad joke.

I think the problem with what you’re saying is the lack of alternatives. In part this is complicated by the fact that I don’t think we even know what to do with a child that has this level of behaviors in terms of education, medical care and behavior modification. There are not even programs or resources for a 5 or 6 year old, much less for one with this level of issues.

The entire situation is totally insane. I can’t recall ever hearing of a child that young planning and executing a shooting or anything close to that level of violence. It was a totally premeditated event with an intent to cause catastrophic loss.

And then there is the issue of lack of resources because people don’t want to work in special ed or even as a teacher. Unfortunately that problem is only getting worse.

[Anonymous]

Another glaring problem here in terms of teachers being hesitant to act without permission from school administrators is fear of action by the Office of Civil Rights when the child is a young African American male.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another glaring problem here in terms of teachers being hesitant to act without permission from school administrators is fear of action by the Office of Civil Rights when the child is a young African American male.

I do think white teacher/black student played a part in this mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another glaring problem here in terms of teachers being hesitant to act without permission from school administrators is fear of action by the Office of Civil Rights when the child is a young African American male.

I do think white teacher/black student played a part in this mess.

I agree. It was also telling that the male African-American school counselor said that the boy did not behave with him the same way that he did with his teacher.

A PP mentioned up thread that parents were commenting on this trial. Can you link to that? I would be interested in reading what they’re saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another glaring problem here in terms of teachers being hesitant to act without permission from school administrators is fear of action by the Office of Civil Rights when the child is a young African American male.

I do think white teacher/black student played a part in this mess.

The mother said that her son actually really liked Abby Z in an interview. It sounded like the precipitating event for the phone smashing and her getting shot was telling him to sit down and not giving him attention. In one interview, the mother basically blamed Abby for instigating the phone smashing incident because she wasn't giving him enough attention. Definitely a complicated dynamic with the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another glaring problem here in terms of teachers being hesitant to act without permission from school administrators is fear of action by the Office of Civil Rights when the child is a young African American male.

I do think white teacher/black student played a part in this mess.

The mother said that her son actually really liked Abby Z in an interview. It sounded like the precipitating event for the phone smashing and her getting shot was telling him to sit down and not giving him attention. In one interview, the mother basically blamed Abby for instigating the phone smashing incident because she wasn't giving him enough attention. Definitely a complicated dynamic with the teacher.

And the kindergarten teacher he choked? This kid has very very serious emotional and behavioral problems, along with drug using parents. He should have been in a specialized classroom for children with his level of problematic behaviors. Can you imagine how fortunate this school system is that he didn't shoot one of his classmates? It's highly doubtful he had an IEP. Terrible choices were made by these inept and incompetent administrators and this school system's administrators who chose to downplay the severity of this child's difficulties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not read all 91 pages of this thread. As a teacher, I have been interested in this case but found it hard to follow all the details.

I went through and combed reports I could find online, and also results of current testimony. This is the summary I have so far with just a few of my own comments.


The boy JT’s behavioral issues began in kindergarten at Richneck Elementary, when he strangled and choked a teacher from behind, and also pulled up a female classmate’s dress and touched her inappropriately on the school playground. Despite this violent act, school officials did not create a behavioral plan. Administrators later decided he should attend a different school, but he returned to Richneck Elementary for first grade without completing kindergarten.

Once back, JT's troubling behaviors resumed. The boy was required to be accompanied by a parent at school “because of his violent tendencies" (although they did not background check his parents and apparently didn't know or care that his father had a criminal background).

Two days before the incident, the boy had been suspended for smashing teacher Abby Zwerner’s phone. The day of the incident was the first day back from suspension, and for some reason, the boy was allowed to come to school without a parent accompanying him.

On January 6, 2023, a series of escalating warnings went unaddressed by Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker. (The principal was present in the building, but was never contacted by any of the teachers nor by the AP so she was unaware of these events and warnings.)

11:15–11:30 a.m. – Following protocol, first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner (fairly young and with just 2 years experience, I think) notified Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker that the 6-year-old had threatened (earlier that morning) to beat up a kindergartner and had been aggressive with a security officer during lunch. The reading specialist, Amy Kovac , an experienced teacher, was in Dr. Parker’s office at the time and testified that Dr. Parker never looked up from her computer as Zwerner reported the threats. Instead of contacting security or removing the child, the AP Dr. Ebony Parker told Amy Kovac that Zwerner could “call his mom to come pick him up.”

My comments: So right away, notice the message that Ms. Zwerner is getting from her admin. Here's a kid who smashed her phone, has a history of violence, and is *supposed* to have a parent in with him every day and that didn't happen. The AP could not care less that the kid is back from his one day suspension and already is acting out.

between 11:30 and 12:30 – Two students told Reading specialist Amy Kovac that JT had a gun in his backpack. Ms Kovac went to Ms Zwerer's classroom and pulled the 1st grader aside and talked to him. When she questioned him, he refused to let her check the bag, saying, “No one is getting that bag.” Ms. Kovac immediately reported this to Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker, who again took no action.

Recess period (around 12:30 p.m.) – Reading specialist Amy Kovac decided to wait until recess, when the boy was out of the classroom, to search his backpack. She found only school materials, but no gun. Phew... but while she was walking back to her classroom, Kovac received a text from Abby Zwerner who was outside at recess, saying either that she, herself had seen JT take something from his bag and put it in his pocket, or that a child told her that is what he had seen. Amy Kovac again immediately went to the AP's office to report this new concern. Dr. Parker dismissed the concern, responding, “He has little pockets.”

The AP didn't inform the principal of any of these reports or concerns. She didn't get up and leave her office to go check things out. She didn't do anything.

Outside at Recess – Lead first-grade teacher Jennifer West said Abby Zwerner reported that a student had seen the boy move something from his backpack to his coat. Jennifer West watched the boy and another student, “R,” behind a tree for 15–20 minutes. When questioned, “R,” visibly upset, told her the boy had a gun and had threatened to “hurt us, blow us up.” Jennifer West immediately followed protocol and called the office..

My comments: Remember, these are teachers supervising classes of grade 1 students outside on a playground/recess area. They are BOTH calling the office and calling experienced teachers for help and guidance as to how to handle this boy who again, remember, was deemed so violent and explosive that he wasn't even allowed to be in school without a one-to-one aide (his parents) who were allowed to not be there that day.

Guidance counselor Rolonzo Rawles presumably was in the office and heard this call, or was somehow made aware of what was going on. He asked the AP Dr. Parker for permission to search the student (not his backpack - his body/clothing). The AP told him to “wait it out” because the school day was nearly over.

Around 1:00 PM I assume the class came in from recess. I assume 1-2 PM was their reading instruction time. At some point, the guidance counselor went to Ms. Zwerner's classroom and told her that they did not have permission from the AP to search the boy's pockets and clothing. Ms. Zwerner was sitting at her reading desk, instructing students, when...

Around 2:00 p.m., JT pulled his mother’s handgun from his pocket and shot Abby Zwerner in the hand and chest while she was teaching. The gun jammed after the first shot, though it still contained seven rounds.

Despite her injuries, Zwerner guided her students from the classroom to the school office before collapsing.
Ms. Kovac testified that she heard a gunshot near the end of the school day and ran into the classroom as children were “screaming and running out.” She saw Zwerner bleeding and immediately contained JT (grabbed and held him firmly) and also managed to call 911, stating, “This is Richneck. A teacher’s been shot, I have the shooter.” Police confirmed that none of the students (about 16-20 according to their report) were physically injured during the incident. Police also confirmed they saw a teacher contraining JT and that the teacher was being hit and kicked by him.

Investigators later found that Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker had been informed multiple times throughout the day of threats and possible possession of a weapon but failed to alert the principal, the school resource officer, or police, which was a clear violation of the district’s crisis management policy. There was no school security officer on duty at the time of the shooting although there was one in the morning, it appears.

Principal Briana Foster-Newton, though present in the building, was never informed of these reports and was found not criminally liable.

Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker resigned shortly after the shooting. She was indicted by a special grand jury on eight felony counts of child neglect/abuse in connection with the shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport  News, Virginia.

JT’s mother Deja Tyler was sentenced to two years in prison; she pled guilty to a state charge of felony child neglect. She is also serving 21 months for two federal felony charges, the unlawful use of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm and making a false statement while purchasing the firearm.

Newport News School District washed its hands of the whole thing. They say they had procedures in place, the administrator just didn’t follow them.

I’ve followed this case closely, including live commentary from parents who were unlucky enough to have kids in that class. This is a great summary, and it’s so upsetting to re-read.
Where even to start. Asking a 6 year old for permission (!) on suspicion there is a gun in his backpack? In what world do you ask such a child for permission for anything, in particular involving a credible threat to the lives of the students? In what world do you let such a child tell you what to do? In what world does a 6 yr old give a security officer problems? How are they letting a 5 year old choke a teacher nearly unconscious and still go to that same school? Who lets criminal parents be present in the classroom every day? The list of insanity goes on and on. I hope everyone gets totally slammed with the repercussions of this. Two years for the mother is a bad joke.

I think the problem with what you’re saying is the lack of alternatives. In part this is complicated by the fact that I don’t think we even know what to do with a child that has this level of behaviors in terms of education, medical care and behavior modification. There are not even programs or resources for a 5 or 6 year old, much less for one with this level of issues.

The entire situation is totally insane. I can’t recall ever hearing of a child that young planning and executing a shooting or anything close to that level of violence. It was a totally premeditated event with an intent to cause catastrophic loss.

And then there is the issue of lack of resources because people don’t want to work in special ed or even as a teacher. Unfortunately that problem is only getting worse.

There are definitely appropriate special education supports for children as young as this child. They are required by law. Our school system has them beginning in preschool. This school's administrators didn't seem to have the needed supports, for which blame lies on this poorly run school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not read all 91 pages of this thread. As a teacher, I have been interested in this case but found it hard to follow all the details.

I went through and combed reports I could find online, and also results of current testimony. This is the summary I have so far with just a few of my own comments.


The boy JT’s behavioral issues began in kindergarten at Richneck Elementary, when he strangled and choked a teacher from behind, and also pulled up a female classmate’s dress and touched her inappropriately on the school playground. Despite this violent act, school officials did not create a behavioral plan. Administrators later decided he should attend a different school, but he returned to Richneck Elementary for first grade without completing kindergarten.

Once back, JT's troubling behaviors resumed. The boy was required to be accompanied by a parent at school “because of his violent tendencies" (although they did not background check his parents and apparently didn't know or care that his father had a criminal background).

Two days before the incident, the boy had been suspended for smashing teacher Abby Zwerner’s phone. The day of the incident was the first day back from suspension, and for some reason, the boy was allowed to come to school without a parent accompanying him.

On January 6, 2023, a series of escalating warnings went unaddressed by Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker. (The principal was present in the building, but was never contacted by any of the teachers nor by the AP so she was unaware of these events and warnings.)

11:15–11:30 a.m. – Following protocol, first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner (fairly young and with just 2 years experience, I think) notified Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker that the 6-year-old had threatened (earlier that morning) to beat up a kindergartner and had been aggressive with a security officer during lunch. The reading specialist, Amy Kovac , an experienced teacher, was in Dr. Parker’s office at the time and testified that Dr. Parker never looked up from her computer as Zwerner reported the threats. Instead of contacting security or removing the child, the AP Dr. Ebony Parker told Amy Kovac that Zwerner could “call his mom to come pick him up.”

My comments: So right away, notice the message that Ms. Zwerner is getting from her admin. Here's a kid who smashed her phone, has a history of violence, and is *supposed* to have a parent in with him every day and that didn't happen. The AP could not care less that the kid is back from his one day suspension and already is acting out.

between 11:30 and 12:30 – Two students told Reading specialist Amy Kovac that JT had a gun in his backpack. Ms Kovac went to Ms Zwerer's classroom and pulled the 1st grader aside and talked to him. When she questioned him, he refused to let her check the bag, saying, “No one is getting that bag.” Ms. Kovac immediately reported this to Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker, who again took no action.

Recess period (around 12:30 p.m.) – Reading specialist Amy Kovac decided to wait until recess, when the boy was out of the classroom, to search his backpack. She found only school materials, but no gun. Phew... but while she was walking back to her classroom, Kovac received a text from Abby Zwerner who was outside at recess, saying either that she, herself had seen JT take something from his bag and put it in his pocket, or that a child told her that is what he had seen. Amy Kovac again immediately went to the AP's office to report this new concern. Dr. Parker dismissed the concern, responding, “He has little pockets.”

The AP didn't inform the principal of any of these reports or concerns. She didn't get up and leave her office to go check things out. She didn't do anything.

Outside at Recess – Lead first-grade teacher Jennifer West said Abby Zwerner reported that a student had seen the boy move something from his backpack to his coat. Jennifer West watched the boy and another student, “R,” behind a tree for 15–20 minutes. When questioned, “R,” visibly upset, told her the boy had a gun and had threatened to “hurt us, blow us up.” Jennifer West immediately followed protocol and called the office..

My comments: Remember, these are teachers supervising classes of grade 1 students outside on a playground/recess area. They are BOTH calling the office and calling experienced teachers for help and guidance as to how to handle this boy who again, remember, was deemed so violent and explosive that he wasn't even allowed to be in school without a one-to-one aide (his parents) who were allowed to not be there that day.

Guidance counselor Rolonzo Rawles presumably was in the office and heard this call, or was somehow made aware of what was going on. He asked the AP Dr. Parker for permission to search the student (not his backpack - his body/clothing). The AP told him to “wait it out” because the school day was nearly over.

Around 1:00 PM I assume the class came in from recess. I assume 1-2 PM was their reading instruction time. At some point, the guidance counselor went to Ms. Zwerner's classroom and told her that they did not have permission from the AP to search the boy's pockets and clothing. Ms. Zwerner was sitting at her reading desk, instructing students, when...

Around 2:00 p.m., JT pulled his mother’s handgun from his pocket and shot Abby Zwerner in the hand and chest while she was teaching. The gun jammed after the first shot, though it still contained seven rounds.

Despite her injuries, Zwerner guided her students from the classroom to the school office before collapsing.
Ms. Kovac testified that she heard a gunshot near the end of the school day and ran into the classroom as children were “screaming and running out.” She saw Zwerner bleeding and immediately contained JT (grabbed and held him firmly) and also managed to call 911, stating, “This is Richneck. A teacher’s been shot, I have the shooter.” Police confirmed that none of the students (about 16-20 according to their report) were physically injured during the incident. Police also confirmed they saw a teacher contraining JT and that the teacher was being hit and kicked by him.

Investigators later found that Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker had been informed multiple times throughout the day of threats and possible possession of a weapon but failed to alert the principal, the school resource officer, or police, which was a clear violation of the district’s crisis management policy. There was no school security officer on duty at the time of the shooting although there was one in the morning, it appears.

Principal Briana Foster-Newton, though present in the building, was never informed of these reports and was found not criminally liable.

Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker resigned shortly after the shooting. She was indicted by a special grand jury on eight felony counts of child neglect/abuse in connection with the shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport  News, Virginia.

JT’s mother Deja Tyler was sentenced to two years in prison; she pled guilty to a state charge of felony child neglect. She is also serving 21 months for two federal felony charges, the unlawful use of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm and making a false statement while purchasing the firearm.

Newport News School District washed its hands of the whole thing. They say they had procedures in place, the administrator just didn’t follow them.

I’ve followed this case closely, including live commentary from parents who were unlucky enough to have kids in that class. This is a great summary, and it’s so upsetting to re-read.
Where even to start. Asking a 6 year old for permission (!) on suspicion there is a gun in his backpack? In what world do you ask such a child for permission for anything, in particular involving a credible threat to the lives of the students? In what world do you let such a child tell you what to do? In what world does a 6 yr old give a security officer problems? How are they letting a 5 year old choke a teacher nearly unconscious and still go to that same school? Who lets criminal parents be present in the classroom every day? The list of insanity goes on and on. I hope everyone gets totally slammed with the repercussions of this. Two years for the mother is a bad joke.

I think the problem with what you’re saying is the lack of alternatives. In part this is complicated by the fact that I don’t think we even know what to do with a child that has this level of behaviors in terms of education, medical care and behavior modification. There are not even programs or resources for a 5 or 6 year old, much less for one with this level of issues.

The entire situation is totally insane. I can’t recall ever hearing of a child that young planning and executing a shooting or anything close to that level of violence. It was a totally premeditated event with an intent to cause catastrophic loss.

And then there is the issue of lack of resources because people don’t want to work in special ed or even as a teacher. Unfortunately that problem is only getting worse.

We need to institutionalize children with these types of behaviors.