A criminal investigation into staff members at a Virginia school where a 6-year-old shot his teacher could shift to why the troubled child’s disciplinary records disappeared after the violence. A special grand jury recently concluded its probe into the shooting, which resulted in charges against a former school administrator who is accused of dismissing concerns the boy had a gun. Prosecutors in Newport News said they’ll continue investigating, including into the missing files. The student had a long history of violence at Richneck Elementary, including choking other children as well as his kindergarten teacher. Authorities are looking into LaQuiche Parrott, director of elementary school leadership, who returned one copy of the student’s records that she said was in her home or car. They are considering filing obstruction of justice charges against Parrott.
Meanwhile, former Richneck assistant principal Ebony Parker is facing charges of felony child neglect. The grand jury report states that she showed a “shocking” lack of response to multiple warnings that the boy had a gun in the hours before he shot teacher Abby Zwerner. Parker attended a court hearing where her attorney was discussed, but the matter was continued until the following month. Parker did not comment to reporters and ran from cameras outside the courthouse. Attorneys for Zwerner called for investigations into the shooting by the U.S. Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Education, in the wake of the grand jury’s report. The report also supports Zwerner’s $40 million lawsuit against Newport News Public Schools.
The criminal probe in Newport News is part of a trend of increased accountability for adults in preventing school violence. Amanda Nickerson, a school psychology professor, stated that caregivers are facing greater scrutiny for their responses to possible threats. Criminal investigations against school employees are becoming more common, especially when warning signs for violence were clear and prevention could have stopped injury or death. Recent cases have focused on school employees, with mixed outcomes, including acquittal in some instances. Meanwhile, prosecutors in Uvalde, Texas, are still investigating the police response to a 2022 elementary school shooting, one of the deadliest in U.S. history.
Parents are also facing scrutiny in cases of school violence. The mother of the 6-year-old who shot Zwerner was convicted in two separate cases, receiving prison time for felony child neglect and illegal possession of a gun while using marijuana. The parents of Ethan Crumbley, convicted in a mass school shooting in Michigan, were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for not securing their son’s gun and being indifferent to his deteriorating mental health. These cases suggest a shift towards holding parents accountable for their role in school violence incidents. At least seven criminal cases against parents have been filed in the last eight years after a child brought a gun to school and it was fired, intentionally or not.
The investigation into the Newport News school shooting highlights the need for accountability and transparency in addressing school violence incidents. The ongoing probe, including into the disappearance of the student’s disciplinary records, reflects a commitment to uncovering the truth and holding responsible parties accountable. The case also underscores the importance of preventive measures and responses to warning signs of violence to avoid tragic incidents in schools. The involvement of multiple agencies and legal actions in response to the shooting indicates a growing emphasis on ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff in educational environments. As criminal investigations into school violence continue to evolve, the focus on accountability for adults involved in such incidents is likely to increase in the future.
