6-Year-Old Intentionally Shot Teacher At Virginia Elementary School: Police

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — A 6-year-old boy is in police custody after authorities said he shot his teacher inside a Virginia elementary school classroom.

The shooting happened Friday at Richneck Elementary School, located at 205 Tyner Drive in Newport News. Police Chief Steve Drew said the shooting happened in a classroom and was intentional.

The teacher, a woman in her 30s, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, Drew said. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said the teacher's condition is “trending in a positive direction” as she remains hospitalized.

Authorities said the shooting was isolated, and that the student and teacher knew each other in a classroom setting. Drew said the boy had a handgun and investigators were working to determine how he obtained it.

"We did not have a situation where someone was going around the school shooting," Drew said during a Friday news conference.

Authorities did not provide further details about the shooting or what happened inside the classroom.

One of the shooter's classmates told the Virginian-Pilot that she witnessed the shooting, which happened about 2 p.m. The girl told a reporter that her classmate shot their teacher "on purpose." She said the teacher was shot in the stomach.

Trannisha Brown, whose 11-year-old son is a fifth-grader at Richneck, told The New York Times that she "received a frightening call from her son" shortly after the shooting. She said her son and his classmates dropped to the floor of their classroom when they heard gunfire.

"It shook me up hearing those kids crying and going frantic," Brown told the Times. "All they knew was that there was a shooter in the school and they didn’t know where the shooter was."

Authorities also did not specifically address questions about whether police were in touch with the boy’s parents, but said members of the police department were handling that investigation.

Virginia law does not allow 6-year-olds to be tried as adults. In addition, a 6-year-old is too young to be committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice if found guilty.

A juvenile judge would have authority to revoke a parent’s custody and place a child under the purview of the Department of Social Services.

"We have been in contact with our commonwealth’s attorney (local prosecutor) and some other entities to help us best get services to this young man," Drew said.

Sen. Mark Warner said he was "deeply disturbed" by the shooting.

"My thoughts go out to all families and first responders," the Democratic senator said in a statement.

Sen. Tim Kaine also released a statement. "I’m monitoring this situation closely and praying for the safety of the students, teachers, staff, and first responders at Richneck Elementary School," the statement read.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.