Virginia police say 6-year-old student shot teacher at Newport News elementary school

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Virginia police have taken a 6-year-old student in custody after a staff member was injured in a shooting at an elementary school in Newport News on Friday afternoon, according to Police Chief Steve Drew.

The incident unfolded at Richneck Elementary School, a school for kids ages 5-9. 

In a press conference Friday evening, Chief Drew said the shooting was not accidental and that the teacher's injuries were life-threatening. No students were injured during the incident. 

Police say that the 6-year-old student was immediately taken into custody following the incident. It is unclear how the student got a gun. 

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A shooting in a classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va., happened on Friday after an altercation between a student and a teacher, officials said. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot, via Associated Press)

Police respond to a shooting at Richneck Elementary School, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 in Newport News, Va. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

Following the shooting, the school was put on lockdown at approximately 2 p.m. In a Facebook post, Newport News Public Schools wrote that the reunification site was at the school's gym door. Parents and guardians were required to present a photo ID to pick up their child at the door.

"The police did an amazing job, got here very, very quickly, along with the sheriff's office," Newport Mayor Jones said. "We are ensuring that everyone is safe, we are ensuring that everyone is accounted for, they're going to be in the cafeteria right now, and people are being escorted out to their parents."

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