Lawyer: 6-year-old who shot teacher has ‘acute disability’
Associated PressNORFOLK, Va. — The family of a 6-year-old boy who shot and wounded his teacher in Virginia said Thursday that the child suffered from “an acute disability” and that one of his parents usually accompanied him in class but did not the week the shooting occurred. Regarding how the child may have gotten access to the gun, Ellenson said: “We don’t know.” Regarding the disability, the family said the boy “was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day.” The family said the week of the shooting “was the first week when we were not in class with him. When asked if the disability was intellectual or behavioral, Ellenson said it was “all of the above.” Ellenson said the boy’s parents had been accompanying him to class for a number of weeks. We grieve alongside all of the other teachers, families and administrators for how this horrific incident has impacted them, our community, and the nation.” The family said the child has been under hospital care since the shooting and is receiving “the treatment he needs.” “At the same time, we love our son and are asking that you please include him and our family in your prayers.” Steve Drew, the Newport News police chief, has described the shooting as “intentional.” A judge will determine what’s next for the child.