On Wednesday, the Newport News, Virginia prosecutor announced that he will not pursue charges against the 6-year-old who shot his elementary school teacher in January, NBC News reported.
He has yet to determine if any adults involved in the case could be held criminally accountable.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn told NBC that it would be “problematic” for a 6-year-old to stand trial, given their lack of legal understanding and ability to assist an attorney.
While Virginia law technically allows for a child of that age to face criminal charges, Gwynn does not believe that there is a “legal basis” in the case.
Instead, his office is focusing on other potential avenues.
“Our objective is not just to do something as quickly as possible,” Gwynn told NBC. “Once we analyze all the facts, we will charge any person or persons that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt committed a crime.”
The shooting at Richneck Elementary School has resulted in a lawsuit on behalf of the injured teacher, the removal of the school’s superintendent and an assistant principal, and the implementation of metal detectors.
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