15 months since Richneck Elementary School shooting, safety improvements made
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — It has been more than a year since a 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary in Newport News shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner in the classroom. A special grand jury report released this week cites numerous safety concerns. Since the shooting, the school has made changes to improve security.
Report: Security, administrative failures led up to Richneck shooting
“The lapses in security were appalling … there’s a lot of bad news, but there’s good news too,” said Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn during a Thursday morning news conference.
10 On Your Side took a close look at some of the specific changes to school security in the days, weeks and months that followed, as detailed in the timeline below.
NN Commonwealth’s Attorney ‘appalled’ by Richneck special grand jury report
Jan. 12, 2023 — Six days after a 6-year-old boy shot his 1st grade teacher, the Newport News school board announced 90 metal detectors would be placed in all 41 schools. Discussions were held with staff regarding school safety.
Newport News to install metal detectors after elementary school shooting
Jan. 17, 2023 — 11 days after the shooting, former Supt. Dr. George Parker revealed more safety changes including additional school resource officers, random classroom and bus searches and new procedures when a child shows physical aggression.
Newport News superintendent outlines safety measures following Richneck shooting
Jan. 25, 2023 — In a 5-1 vote, Parker is ousted by NNPS board members. Dr. Michele Mitchell becomes interim superintendent and later the new superintendent of NNPS.
Parker out as superintendent in Newport News
Jan. 30, 2023 — Richneck students return to school under new administration.
Students return to Richneck Elementary
Apr. 18, 2023 — Weapons detection systems were installed at all elementary schools and childhood centers.
Weapons detection systems installed at Newport News elementary schools, childhood centers
Jun. 7, 2023 — Just five months after the shooting, the district announced Robert Stewart, a former Newport News police officer, as Executive Director of Crisis Planning, Prevention and Response, and Carl Murray Jr. as new Director of Safety. Both roles were created after the shooting.
NNPS names new Director of Safety and Director of Crisis Planning, Prevention and Response
Jul. 28, 2023 — NNPS announced a clear bag policy for all students during the 2023-2024 school year.
Newport News Public Schools implements clear bag policy for 2023-24 school year
Jan. 6, 2024 — In the year since the school shooting, NNPS spent $1.5 million in security equipment, retained 120 security officers and began the Raptor program. Raptor is an app that teachers can use to alert every staff member in the building of an emergency if it happens.
School security: How have things changed one year after Richneck
Newport News high school piloting Raptor technology to enhance school safety
10 On Your Side spoke with reading specialist Amy Kovac, who is mentioned several times in the Richneck report. She wrapped her arms around the boy who shot teacher Abby Zwerner. She told us her safety concerns were heard following the shooting and that changes were immediate. She felt safety was taken very seriously after Jan. 6, 2023.
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