Key takeaways:
- No charges will be brought against the 6-year-old boy who shot his elementary school teacher in January.
- The prospect of a 6-year-old standing trial is problematic given their lack of competency to understand the legal system.
- The prosecutor’s office is still investigating the case and determining whether any adults associated with the incident could be held criminally liable.
The city prosecutor in Newport News, Virginia, announced Wednesday that no charges will be brought against the 6-year-old boy who shot his elementary school teacher in January.
Howard Gwynn, the Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney, said in an interview with NBC News that the “prospect that a 6-year-old can stand trial is problematic” given that a child that young wouldn’t have the competency to understand the legal system and what a charge means or adequately assist an attorney.
Gwynn also told WTKR Wednesday that “after researching this issue thoroughly, we do not believe the law supports charging and convicting a 6-year-old with aggravated assault.”
Although it is not unheard of for an adolescent of that age to be arrested in general, the prosecutor’s office is still looking into whether any adults associated with the case could be held criminally liable.
The student allegedly shot and wounded Richneck Elementary School teacher Abigail Zwerner on January 6, leaving her critically injured from a bullet that struck her chest. The prosecutor’s office is still investigating the case and determining whether any adults associated with the incident could be held criminally liable.
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