Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher speaks out
The mother of a 6-year-old boy who allegedly shot his teacher is speaking out for the first time, saying she is "willing to take responsibility for him."
In an interview with ABC's Good Morning America, Deja Taylor said her son was a "great kid," but "very energetic" due to his diagnosis of ADHD. "He's off the wall. Doesn't sit still, ever," she added.
Taylor's son made national headlines this past January, when he allegedly shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, in his classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. Zwerner is recovering from her injuries and has filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school, which she says ignored multiple warnings that Taylor's son had a gun.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Prosecutors have since charged Taylor with a felony count of child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a firearm as to endanger a child. She could face up to six years in prison if convicted.
Taylor reiterated that she was willing to be responsible for her son's actions. She said he "actually really liked" Zwerner, but had recently "felt like he was being ignored."
While Zwerner's lawsuit alleges that the child had a "history of random violence" and that he "attacked students and teachers alike," Taylor's attorney, James Ellenson, said the shooting was ultimately the fault of the school. Ellenson alleges the school had enrolled Taylor's son in first grade, despite knowing he only attended two months each of preschool and kindergarten.
"If they believed all of these behaviors to be true, then they should not have allowed him" to move to a higher grade, Ellenson said. "They should've put him back into kindergarten, possibly even pre-K, but at the minimum to kindergarten."
Taylor said she had legally purchased the gun used in the shooting, and does not know how her son retrieved the weapon.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 24, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - taped bananas, flying monkeys, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
DOJ demands changes at 'abhorrent' Atlanta jail
Speed Read Georgia's Fulton County Jail subjects inmates to 'unconstitutional' conditions, the 16-month investigation found
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
China tries to bury deadly car attack
Speed Read An SUV drove into a crowd of people in Zhuhai, killing and injuring dozens — but news of the attack has been censored
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Menendez brothers may go free in LA prosecutor plan
Speed Read Prosecutors are asking for the brothers to be resentenced for the 1989 murder of their parents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
India doctors' strike: rape and murder of student triggers widespread protests
The Explainer Nationwide outrage at a brutal attack on a female medical student raises familiar problems for country
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Why has a Romanian prince gone fugitive?
Under The Radar Paul of Romania is wanted for his role in plot to reclaim royal lands
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Can Starmer's plan solve the prisons crisis?
Today's Big Question Releasing inmates early is 'least worst option' to tackle overcrowding, but critics say it puts public at risk
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Alec Baldwin on trial over on-set Rust shooting death
In the Spotlight Hollywood actor denies involuntary manslaughter charge in fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published