The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Newport News, Virginia, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for federal charges related to the incident.
Deja Taylor was found guilty of using marijuana while possessing a firearm and providing false information about her drug use during the firearm purchase. These charges are felonies and are linked to the January shooting at Richneck Elementary School. Taylor pleaded guilty to these charges in June.
Federal prosecutors had pushed for a 21-month sentence, while she could have faced a maximum of 25 years in prison.
The shooting occurred on January 6 when the 6-year-old brought a gun into the classroom and intentionally shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, who sustained a gunshot wound through her hand and into her chest.
It was revealed that Taylor bought the firearm in July 2022. ATF agents did not find a lockbox, a trigger lock, or a key for the gun.
Zwerner spoke during the sentencing, detailing the lasting impact of the shooting on her life.
She underwent five surgeries and rigorous physical therapy to restore motion in her hand.
Prosecutors also reported a previous incident involving Taylor’s firearm, where she shot at her son’s father after seeing his girlfriend. No one was injured, and the police were not involved in this incident.
According to court filings, prosecutors described Taylor as a “marijuana abuser,” stating that her chronic and persistent drug abuse extended the case beyond occasional or recreational use.
It is illegal to possess marijuana while having a gun under federal law.
Taylor’s attorney acknowledged her remorse and full responsibility for her actions, emphasizing the hope for her rehabilitation and recovery after serving her sentence.
Taylor also faces state charges related to the shooting and has pleaded guilty to child neglect, with a pending sentence. A misdemeanor charge of endangering a child by reckless firearm storage was dropped.
Zwerner filed a lawsuit against her school district, seeking $40 million for negligence that led to her injuries. The lawsuit has been permitted to proceed by a judge, despite the school board’s attempt to dismiss it under the state’s worker’s compensation law.
