Another 6-Year-Old Brings Gun To VA School, Mother Charged: Police

NORFOLK, VA — A Virginia mother is facing charges after her six-year-old brought a gun with him to a Norfolk elementary school Thursday, according to authorities. The incident comes six weeks after Newport News police accused another 6-year-old student of using his mother's gun to shoot his first-grade teacher.

According to police, Letty M. Lopez, 35, of Norfolk, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and allowing a child access to a loaded firearm after her child, a student at Little Creek Elementary School, was found with a gun.

Norfolk police said officers were called to the school around 3:30 p.m. When police arrived, authorities said a handgun was turned over to officers by school staff.

Police did not say how the gun was discovered.

No injuries were reported, according to authorities.

On Jan. 6, police were called to Richneck Elementary School in Newport News after authorities said a 6-year-old student shot teacher Abigail Zwerner.

Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew has repeatedly characterized the shooting as "intentional," saying the boy aimed at Zwerner and fired one round, striking her in the hand and chest.

Zwerner was hospitalized for nearly two weeks but is now recovering at home, a hospital spokesperson said. She now plans to school the sue district, according to her attorney.

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