Newport News: 6-year-old boy in custody after shooting at teacher

A six-year-old is in custody after allegedly shooting dead an elementary school teacher in Newport News, Virginia.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was struck in a classroom at Richneck Elementary School in what “was not an accidental shooting,” Police Chief Steve Drew said Friday afternoon, hours after the incident.

An altercation ensued between the teacher and the boy, who had a firearm, opening a single round, Drew said.

“The person is a 6-year-old student. He is currently in police custody,” he said.

“We have been in contact with our Commonwealth solicitor and a number of other bodies to help us give this young man the best possible care.”

The teacher was originally said to be in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, but there were “some improvements in the last update we received,” Drew said.

Police received a call around 2 p.m. Friday about a situation with active gunmen.

“A teacher was injured and taken to a local hospital,” Newport News Public Schools wrote on Facebook. “All students are safe. The perpetrator is in police custody.”

School district spokeswoman Michelle Price previously told 13News Now that a staff member was injured.

Families were notified of the incident via a phone call, email and a social media post.

“Police and school department heads are on site and actively investigating,” the school district wrote.

There was a lockdown at the school for about an hour until the situation of the active shooters was clarified.