Mother of 6-year-old Richneck shooter charged; prosecutors look to further investigate security issues

NEWPORT NEWS — A Newport News grand jury on Monday indicted the mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot his first grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School three months ago.

Deja Nicole Taylor, 25, of Newport News — whose son shot 25-year-old teacher Abby Zwerner during class Jan. 6 — was charged with felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child.

Newport News prosecutors also asked a Circuit Court judge to impanel a special grand jury to “continue the investigation into any security issues that may have contributed to this shooting.” This could include looking at Richneck administrators, the school system and others.

Such a probe could take months — and could lead to more indictments.

“Their investigation will continue as long as necessary to determine whether others are criminally responsible for the shooting of January 6,” the Newport News commonwealth’s attorney’s office wrote in a news release Monday afternoon.

The charges against the boy’s mother “come after a thorough investigation by Newport News Police Department and this office,” the release said, saying “the facts and the law support charging Deja Taylor” with the felony and misdemeanor counts. (Read more)

Press Release Rocky Mount City Government: RMPD Investigates Shooting

Rocky Mount, N.C. – On April 9, 2023 at approximately 7.00 p.m. officers responded to the 3100 block of Wellington Drive in reference to a person who was shot.

When officers responded they located a male victim who sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim was transported to UNC Health Nash Hospital for treatment. This is an active investigation and officers and detectives are currently on scene.

The Rocky Mount Police Department Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate this incident, and requests anyone with information to call the Rocky Mount Police Department at 252-972-1411, call Crimestoppers at 252-977-1111 for cash rewards, or Text-A-Tip (text RMPOL and your message to 274637).

About Rocky Mount: The city of Rocky Mount, located in the Coastal Plains of North Carolina, was incorporated in 1867 and lies in Edgecombe and Nash Counties. Rocky Mount is a two-time All-America City on the Tar River. The city was recognized as one of 10 winners nationwide of the 2020-21 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize. Serving as the Gateway to Eastern North Carolina, the city’s 875 employees serve approximately 54,000 residents daily.

The city’s mission is to advance community well-being, safety and quality of life by delivering excellent public services and actively collaborating with the community toward a fulfilling and inspired future for its citizens. As a publicly owned utility, the city of Rocky Mount is committed to safe, reliable service for its customers and operates in Nash and Edgecombe counties, providing customers with electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater (sewer), refuse, recycling and/or stormwater services. To learn more, visit http://www.rockymountnc.gov for news and updates.