NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — "Sheer panic" is how one Newport News mother describes learning a shooting happened at her daughter’s elementary school a year ago on January, 6, 2023.
The shocking news that a 6-year-old student shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, at Richneck Elementary School soon made national headlines.
“I was sitting on the couch at work, and I got an alert on my watch, saying that there was a shooting at Richneck," said one Richneck mother, who wished to remain anonymous.
The mother told 13News Now that Zwerner taught her daughter the year prior. She describes Zwerner as one of her daughter's favorite teachers.
“My daughter still everyday went by Miss Abbey’s room to give her a hug and tell her hi,” the mother said.
She said her then-8-year-old daughter sat in a classroom just around the corner when the shooting happened.
“She has nightmares," the mother said. "It was very tough the week afterward. Even though it’s been a year now, she still has nightmares.”
Quickly after the shooting, the school division went through several leadership changes.
School administrators also increased security measures, such as requiring students to carry clear book bags and adding weapons detection systems in every school. The division also hired Marc Stewart in a new role as executive director of crisis planning and prevention. Stewart said division added 45 new security officers and 10 substitute officers.
The mother said she believes security still needs to be increased.
“I think that they’re doing the best that they can, but security definitely needs to be stepped up a lot," she said.
Through everything, this mother said the Richneck community has stuck together.
“The teachers have really stepped up and helped a lot of our kids emotionally," she said.
Zwerner recently sat down with 13News Now to discuss her recovery. To read more, click here or watch the full interview below: