6-Year-Old in US Shoots Teacher, Bag Check Passed Before Incident

At Least One School Official Conducted Bag Searches After Receiving Tips
Firearm Likely Hidden Elsewhere or Inspection Was Lax

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the 6th, at an elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, USA, it was reported that a 6-year-old first-grade elementary student who shot a teacher with a gun had undergone a bag inspection before committing the crime. No firearm was found during the inspection.

According to foreign media including the UK Guardian on the 13th (local time), George Parker, superintendent of Newport News Public Schools, which oversees the elementary school where the incident occurred, revealed this fact for the first time at an online parent meeting on the 12th. He stated, "More than one school official received a tip about the possibility that the offending student was carrying a firearm."

An elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, USA, where a 6-year-old first-grade student shot a teacher with a gun.
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

The school immediately searched the bag upon receiving the tip but could not find a firearm in the student's backpack. Earlier, the police revealed that the student brought the gun to school in their backpack, so it is possible that the student hid the gun elsewhere during the bag inspection or that the gun search was not properly conducted. Newport News police also said, "As a result of the investigation, it was found that a school staff member had been warned in advance about the possibility of a person carrying a firearm on school grounds." However, the police reportedly did not receive any related tips before the incident.

Michelle Price, spokesperson for the Newport News School District, said, "I cannot say whether there were any other searches besides the shared facts," adding, "This part will be part of the internal investigation and police investigation, but there is no publicly announced information." She avoided commenting on questions about the identity of the tipster and why additional inspections were not conducted despite not finding a firearm.

Earlier, on the 9th, Steve Drew, chief of Newport News Police Department, stated at an investigation briefing, "The offending student took out a gun during class, aimed at the teacher, and fired." According to the police, there was no physical altercation between the teacher and the student before the shooting, and the bullet pierced the teacher's hand and hit the upper chest. After the shooting, school staff rushed into the classroom and restrained the offending student, who reportedly also hit the staff. The student is currently receiving mental health treatment at a facility under a court order.

Chief Drew added, "Despite being shot, the teacher evacuated the students to a safe place and saved many lives, making her a hero." The injured teacher, Abigail Juoner (25, female), is currently hospitalized but in stable condition.

The gun used by the student was legally purchased by the student's mother. The Guardian reported that it has not been confirmed how the student was able to access the mother's gun. According to Virginia state law, it is a crime to leave a loaded gun in a place accessible to children under 14 years old.

Meanwhile, the Newport News School Board announced on the 12th that metal detectors will be installed in all schools in the area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.