The Virginia school district where a 6-year-old allegedly intentionally shot a teacher on Friday has had three instances of gun violence.
Newport News Public Schools consists of 26,500 students, and includes three early childhood centers, 24 elementary schools, seven middle schools and five high schools, according to the district's website.
Sept. 2021 a 16-year-old fired several shots in a busy hallway inside Heritage High School during lunchtime, injuring two 17-year-olds, according to WAVY. in December, 18-year-old Demari Batten fatally shot 17-year-old Justice Dunham in the parking lot of Menchville High School after a football game.
Richneck Elementary School will be closed on Monday and Tuesday in response to the latest shooting.
"My heart is aching for our school community. The tragic event that occurred on Friday impacts all of us deeply. My thoughts and prayers remain with our teacher who was seriously injured, and our students and our staff, who are dealing with the aftereffects of this tragedy." Briana Foster Newton, Principal Said in a statement send out on the school webpage.
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones called the shooting "a red flag for the country," according to The Associated Press.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew met with the teacher, a woman in her 30s, and her family Saturday morning, according to a statement released by police Saturday afternoon.
Officials have yet to comment on where the child might have obtained the weapon, which police described as a handgun.
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