School where boy shot teacher reopens with added security

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Virginia elementary school where a 6-yearold boy shot his teacher reopened Monday with stepped-up security and a new administrator, as nervous parents and students expressed optimism about a return to the classroom.

Richneck Elementary School in Newport News opened its doors more than three weeks after the Jan. 6 shooting. Police have said the boy brought a 9 mm handgun to school and intentionally shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, as she was teaching her firstgrade class. Zwerner, 25, was hospitalized for nearly two weeks but is now recovering at home.

Several police cars were parked at the school as teachers arrived.

The sign in front of the building read “Richneck Strong” and was framed by two red hearts. Other signs along the sidewalks read, “We are praying for you,” “You are loved” and “We believe in you.”

Students were greeted by a line of police officers, Mayor Phillip Jones, and other adults who gave them high-fives as they walked into the school.

Jennifer Roe said she and her fourth-grader, Jethro, saw a therapist after the shooting.

“He’s excited to get back to school. He’s missed it,” Roe said.

“There are concerns, of course,” she said. “We talked through it. His therapist gave me a thumbs-up and said he’s good.”

Jethro said he still had some concern “it might happen again,” but that the increased security made him feel better.

“I’m still a little nervous, but I’ve calmed down a lot,” he said.

Many parents walked their children in, but Jordan Vestre said his thirdgrader, Jaxon, asked if he could walk in alone. Vestre said he gave Jaxon a hug and “stood back a little teary-eyed and watched him high-five all the police officers and the mayor.”

Vestre said his son “fully understands what happened.” But he added: “How do you talk to an 8-year-old about a school shooting? It’s ridiculous.”

The school board chair, Lisa Surles-Law, said roses were handed out to the students and therapy dogs were made available to all first-graders.

Zwerner’s classroom remained closed. Her students will be taught in another classroom, SurlesLaw said.

“I walked the building a little while ago, and (the teachers) are very excited to welcome their students back,” she said.

Since then, two metal detection systems have been installed and two security officers have been assigned to the school, said district spokeswoman Michelle Price. Before the shooting, one security officer was assigned to Richneck and another elementary school. The officer was not at Richneck at the time of the shooting.