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On Monday, April 10, officials said that a grand jury has returned two indictments related to the January shooting of 25-year-old educator Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a possibly disturbed student at Richneck Elementary School.
Specifically, Deja Taylor, 25, has been charged with with felony child neglect and misdemeanor recklessly leaving a loaded firearm so as to endanger a child.
The charges came following an extensive investigation by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and Newport News Police Department that found Taylor at least partially complicit in the shooting, which left Zwerner with serious injuries in the premeditated attack.
“Every criminal case is unique in its facts,” Gwynn said. “And these facts support these charges, but our investigation into the shooting continues.”
Gwynn said that his office is also petitioning the court to further probe security issues that could have contributed to the shooting to determine whether others should face potential charges for the shooting on Jan. 6.
That move comes amid rumors circulating that the boy had previous run-ins with teachers and had displayed previous questionable behavior and made potentially damning comments and threats toward other educators.
“The safety and security of Newport News students is of utmost importance,” Gwynn continued. “The Special Grand Jury will investigate to determine whether additional charges against additional persons are justified by the facts and the law.
“If the Special Grand jury determines that additional persons are criminally responsible under the law, it can return additional indictments.”
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