A 6-year-old first-grader at an elementary school in Newport News, Va., shot a teacher on Friday afternoon during an altercation in a classroom, the authorities said, leaving her with “life-threatening” injuries and renewing calls for greater gun restrictions.
No students were injured in the shooting on Friday at Richneck Elementary School, police said. The teacher – a woman in her 30s – suffered life-threatening injuries.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew told reporters her condition had improved somewhat by late afternoon.
Newport News Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. George Parker also attended the press conference.
“I’m in shock, and I’m disheartened,” Dr. Parker said. “We need to educate our children and we need to keep them safe.”
“I cannot control access to weapons,” Dr. Parker continued. “My teachers cannot control access to weapons.”
He added, “Today our students got a lesson in gun violence and what guns can do to disrupt not only an educational environment, but also a family, a community.”
