Virginia school was warned of threat from boy, six, who shot teacher, lawyer says

Diane Toscano, an attorney for Abigail Zwerner, told reporters on Wednesday she had notified the Newport News school board that the 25-year-old Richneck elementary school teacher plans to sue the school district over the 6 January shooting, which left Zwerner with serious injuries.

Zwerner told school administrators at around 11.15am that the boy had threatened to beat up another child.

The shooting stunned Newport News, a city of about 185,000 70 miles south-east of Richmond.

Zwerner was hospitalized for nearly two weeks and is now recovering at home.

The schools superintendent, George Parker III, has said at least one administrator was told on the day of the shooting the boy might have had a weapon, but no weapon was found when his backpack was searched.

Police have said school officials did not tell them about that tip before the shooting, which happened hours later.

The Newport News school board was scheduled to hold a special meeting on Wednesday evening to vote on a separation agreement and severance package for Parker, according to a posted agenda. The board was also scheduled to vote on an interim superintendent.