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Chilling Footage: Child Admits Stealing Mom's Gun
7 Oct
Summary
- Newly released footage shows child's actions post-shooting.
- The 6-year-old admitted to stealing the firearm from his mother.
- Charges against a school administrator were dismissed.
Newly released police bodycam footage reveals the disturbing aftermath of the January 6, 2023, Richneck Elementary School shooting in Newport News, Virginia. The footage shows a 6-year-old boy, identified as J.T., swearing at officers and admitting he stole the 9 mm Taurus handgun from his mother.
Reading specialist Amy Kovac restrained the child as officers secured the firearm, found nearby. The boy, who was six years old at the time of the incident, later confessed, "I stole that from my mom." He had taken the weapon from his mother's purse earlier that day and brought it to school.
The bullet struck first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner in the hand and chest. Zwerner and her 16 students escaped the classroom following the single shot. She eventually collapsed in the school office.
The video was presented during the trial of former Richneck assistant principal Ebony Parker, who faced eight felony child-neglect charges. A judge dismissed all charges after the defense's motion to strike the prosecution's case.
Parker's case was dismissed in May. The footage, initially sealed due to the minor involved, was ordered unsealed after a legal challenge. The child is now reportedly living with his great-grandfather. His mother, Deja Nicole Taylor, has completed a prison sentence for child neglect and federal charges related to lying on a gun background-check form.
