The first-grade Newport News, Virginia student who shot teacher Abigail Zwerner in January, even after the school district had repeatedly been warned about the child’s violent actions, will not face charges in the case, the local prosecutor announced.
According to NBC News, Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn said the age of the defendant would cause a problem under state law which demands the defendant be competent enough to engage in his own defense. Gwynn said the ability of a six-year-old to participate in case preparation and to understand the gravity of the situation is highly questionable.
Ruling out charges against the child does not mean no one will face charges in the case. “Our objective is not just to do something as quickly as possible,” Gwynn said. “Once we analyze all the facts, we will charge any person or persons that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt committed a crime.”