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The parents of the 6-year-old Virginia boy who shot his school teacher Abigail Zwerner said Thursday that their son is severely disabled — and claimed that the gun used in the shooting had been “secured,” according to a statement from their attorney.
The statement did not specify where the 9mm Taurus handgun was kept or how the child could have gained access to it.
“Our family has always been committed to responsible gun ownership and keeping firearms out of the reach of children,” the statement said.
“The firearm our son accessed was secured.”
The family also said that the unnamed first-grader “suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day.”
According to the parents, the week of the shooting “was the first week when we were not in class with him. We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives.”
The statement from the family also addressed the boy’s relationship with his teacher, who is still recovering from gunshot wounds nearly two weeks later.
“Our heart goes out to our son’s teacher and we pray for her healing in the aftermath of such an unimaginable tragedy as she selflessly served our son and the children in the school,” the family said.
“She has worked diligently and compassionately to support our family as we sought the best education and learning environment for our son.
