A 26-year-old woman, Deja Taylor, has pleaded guilty in a Virginia court following an incident where her 6-year-old child was identified as the shooter of his first-grade teacher in January. Taylor faced a felony child neglect charge, with a possible six-month sentence in state prison as recommended by prosecutors. Sentencing is scheduled for October 27.
As part of a plea agreement, a misdemeanor charge of recklessly leaving a loaded firearm within reach of a child was dropped, averting a potential six-year prison term. The resolution of this legal aspect marks one aspect of the case, which had garnered national attention due to its implications for school safety and gun violence. The incident led to changes in school leadership, including the removal of the school superintendent and an assistant principal.
The teacher, Abigail Zwerner, who was seriously injured in the shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, survived the ordeal. Recently unsealed court documents shed light on how the young boy, identified only by initials, obtained the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.
On the morning of the shooting (January 6), Taylor believed the gun was secured in her purse with a trigger lock and left it atop her bedroom dresser, according to a probable cause statement. The key for the lock was said to be kept beneath her bedroom mattress.
Authorities had earlier confirmed that the gun used in the incident was legally purchased; however, they were investigating whether it had been adequately secured, as claimed by the child’s family.
James Ellenson, the family’s attorney, stated that Taylor believed the gun was stored on a high closet shelf with a trigger lock. Nonetheless, Ellenson acknowledged in May that questions persisted about how the child managed to access the weapon.
As part of a separate investigation, Taylor also admitted guilt in federal court in June for using marijuana while in possession of a firearm. Sentencing is expected in October, carrying a potential 18 to 24 months in prison. The narcotics were discovered during a court-ordered search related to the shooting incident, which is a violation of U.S. law that prohibits marijuana use while possessing a firearm.
Court documents reveal that text messages on Taylor’s phone indicated significant marijuana use, while no lockbox or trigger lock key was found at either of the residences.
According to the care plan at the school, the boy’s parents were supposed to be present with him on a daily basis. However, they were absent on the day of the shooting.
When police arrived at the classroom, they found the gun and cartridge casings on the floor while school staff tended to Zwerner’s wounds. Another teacher reported hearing a gunshot as children returned from recess. The children fled the classroom, followed by Zwerner, who was injured. The teacher entered the classroom and found the 6-year-old near his desk, holding him until police arrived.
At the time, the boy made statements indicating his involvement, including saying, “I did it,” “I got my mom’s gun last night,” and “I shot that b—- dead,” as stated in the documents.
The child’s family asserted that he had an “acute disability” and had received necessary treatment during court-ordered temporary detention at a medical facility.
In March, a prosecutor noted that the 6-year-old would not be facing charges due to his inability to comprehend the legal system or provide adequate assistance to an attorney.
Zwerner, the teacher, filed a $40 million lawsuit alleging that school administrators ignored warnings from staff and students about the boy having a gun and being a potential threat on the day of the shooting. The lawsuit claimed the administrators knew about the child’s history of violent behavior.
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Newport News Public Schools released a statement affirming their cooperation with authorities and commitment to the well-being of students and staff. However, they refrained from commenting on ongoing legal actions.
