Teacher shot by 6-year-old student sues school officials for $40 million
PBS NewsHourNov 24, 2022
The Facts
On Monday, Deja Taylor, the mother of a six-year-old boy who shot an elementary school teacher in Newport News, Va., in January was indicted by a grand jury on felony child neglect and a firearms charge.
The unidentified boy shot Abby Zwerner in her Richneck Elementary School classroom with a gun that, according to police, was legally purchased by Taylor. An attorney for Taylor said the weapon had a trigger lock and was stored on the top shelf of a closet.
The Spin
Narrative A
Charging Taylor for this incident is just a small first step toward justice for Zwerner. Charges against the school should also be seriously considered, as everyone involved with this avoidable tragedy should be held accountable.
Narrative B
This incident shouldn’t inspire a search for justice; it should motivate gun owners and politicians to advocate for better gun safety, including tighter regulations on storing guns out of the reach of children.