NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A six-year-old boy has been detained for shooting his teacher at an elementary school in Newport News Friday afternoon, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said.
Police were called to Richneck Elementary School at 205 Tyner Drive around 2 p.m., officials said.
"The altercation was between a 6-year old, the student, who did have the firearm, and the teacher," Drew said "And then a round was fired."
Drew said that the woman in her 30s suffered a gunshot wound in the classroom and was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. No students were hurt.
Drew said the boy used a handgun and that "this was not an accidental shooting."
"He is right now in police custody. We're working out the best way, to our partners and different resources, to address that situation," Drew said. "We have been in contact with our commonwealth's attorney and some other entities to help us best get services to this young man."
A handgun was used in the shooting, Drew said.
The police chief said that while the call initially came in for an active shooter, the shooting happened in an "isolated location." The chief said officers recovered evidence there.
"We were here within minutes," Drew said. "We did not have an individual going around the school firing off rounds."
Drew said the school was "completely secure" and checked by the SWAT team and officers in a "very deliberate, but orderly fashion."
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Police wrote around 2:50 p.m. that they were "beginning the process to reunite parents with students."
Drew said that all of the students were safe.
"All the children inside the school have been taken from the room with their teachers, and escorted to the gymnasium," Drew explained. "They're all safe in there. They're actually in there with with counselors and officers. [They're] cutting up a little bit... It's good to see them laughing. We want to make sure that they're OK."
WTVR CBS 6 had multiple crews at the scene Friday afternoon. Depend on WTVR.com and watch CBS 6 News for the latest developments on this breaking story. Anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
