NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Newport News Public School Board said it's buying metal detectors to be put in all of its schools as soon as possible.
In a press conference on Thursday evening, Board Chairperson Lisa Surles-Law announced funding has been obtained for 90 state-of-the-art metal detectors.
The announcement comes after police said a 6-year-old boy shot his first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School on Jan. 6. When police arrived, they found 25-year-old teacher Abby Zwernerin the office suffering from a gunshot wound to the hand and upper chest.
Police said the shooting was intentional.
Zwerner was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. She is currently recovering and making improvements.
Surles-Law did not give a timeline on when the metal detectors would be purchased but said Richneck Elementary would be the first.
Richneck Elementary has been closed all week due to the shooting. Surles-Law also told reporters there's no word on when students would be returning to school.
