The family of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Virginia said Thursday that the gun he used was “safe” and that one of his parents usually went to class with him, but did not the week the shooting happened. done.
An attorney released the family’s statement, which did not elaborate on where the 9-caliber pistol was kept. It also did not identify the family.
“Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping guns out of the reach of children,” the statement said. “The gun that our son accessed was in good hands.”
The family also said the boy “is acutely disabled and was under a treatment plan at school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day.”
The week of the incident “was the first week we weren’t in class with him. We will mourn our absence on that day for the rest of our lives.”
The statement was issued by the Newport News office of James S. Ellenson, attorney. It is the first public statement from the family, nearly two weeks after the Jan. 6 shooting at Richneck Elementary School.
Police previously said the boy’s mother had legally acquired the gun, but it was unclear how the boy was able to gain access. Virginia law prohibits leaving a loaded gun where it is within the reach of a child under the age of 14, an offense punishable by up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
No charges have been filed against the mother. But the investigation continues, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said during one of two live conversations he had with the public on Facebook on Wednesday.
During the first conversation, she was asked twice if the fathers would be held liable or if the mother would be sued. Drew simply replied that the city detectives would conduct a full investigation.
