The mother of a 6-year-old who took a gun to Richneck Elementary School in Virginia and shot his teacher earlier this year is now facing federal gun charges.
Deja Taylor, 25, has been charged with multiple counts, including being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.
The incident left first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner seriously injured, prompting a lawsuit against the school administration for alleged negligence.
Federal Charges Against Deja Taylor
According to the New York Post, Deja Taylor, the mother of the 6-year-old shooter, has been indicted on federal gun charges related to the incident at Richneck Elementary School in Virginia.
The charges include being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Taylor acknowledged her responsibility for her son's access to the handgun but claimed uncertainty about how he obtained it.
The federal charging documents allege that Taylor lied about being a marijuana user when she purchased the Taurus 9 mm handgun, violating federal guidelines.
Although marijuana is legal for medical patients and nonmedical users aged 21 and older in Virginia, it remains illegal under federal law.
According to CNN, James Ellenson, Deja Taylor's attorney, said her guilty plea is the result of productive negotiations with federal authorities, eliminating the need for the case to go before a grand jury.
The terms of the agreement, which are deemed fair to all parties, will be revealed during the guilty plea.
Ellenson stated that Taylor will enter her guilty plea either later this week or the following week, and he intends to present mitigating evidence.
He also expressed gratitude to the US attorney's office for their cooperative involvement in the discussions.
Along with the federal charges, Taylor has also been indicted on state charges of felony child neglect and recklessly leaving a firearm to endanger a child.
Abby Zwerner's Injuries and Lawsuit
According to NBC News, Abby Zwerner, the teacher who was shot by the 6-year-old student, suffered serious injuries to her left hand and chest.
Despite being wounded, she managed to lead her class of approximately 20 students to safety.
Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit against Newport News Public Schools, alleging that school administrators ignored multiple warnings about the student's possession of a gun and his troubling behavior.
The lawsuit claims that school officials were aware of at least three separate warnings regarding the student's potential possession of a firearm.
Additionally, it was also revealed that the school administrators and the school board had knowledge of the student's previous incidents of unprovoked violence.
The boy, who has been described as having an "acute disability," was supposed to be accompanied by a parent as per his care plan, but he was unaccompanied on the day of the incident.
Zwerner argues that the administrators' negligence in addressing these warnings allowed the incident to occur, leading to her injuries.
The school district has sought to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that the claims should be addressed through worker's compensation rather than a separate legal action.
The incident left teacher Abby Zwerner seriously injured, leading to a legal battle against the school administration.
As the case progresses, the focus remains on addressing the consequences of the incident and ensuring the safety of students and staff in educational institutions.
