A 6-year-old boy stashed his mum's gun in his backpack which had "multiple rounds" and shot his teacher, police have said.
The child, who attends Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, US, shot 25-year-old teacher Abby Zwerner on Friday afternoon in her classroom.
Authorities have revealed the pupil brought in a 9mm Taurus handgun from home, which was legally purchased by his mum, and stashed it in his backpack.
Police chief Steve Drew said the bullet went through one of Zwerner’s hands and hit her chest as she took a "defensive position”.
The heroic teacher then turned around and urged the 14-16 students to flee the classroom and run for their safety.
Injured Zwerner tried to seek help as she stumbled down the corridor before collapsing as she was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.
Her condition has since improved and is said to be talking to friends and family in hospital.
Mr Drew revealed: "She turned around to make sure every one of those students was safe. she is a hero."
The police chief said the 6-year-old took a gun out of his backpack, aimed it at her and fired one round.
He added: “Ms. Zwerner was providing classroom instruction when the 6-year-old child displayed a firearm, pointed it at her and fired one round. There was no physical struggle or fight. She was providing instruction to her class.”
The heroic teacher was the last person to leave the classroom as CCTV footage shows her urging everyone to leave before seeking help.
Mr Crew said: "From the video surveillance we have of that hallway, you can see the students running out of that classroom across the hall into another classroom. Ms. Zwerner was the last person to leave that class."
Alarmingly, police chiefs have revealed there “there was more than one round” in the gun as the motive's behind the child's attack are being investigated.
He added: "I believe the [shooter’s] actions were at, or towards, the teacher, but you never know how someone’s going to react with a firearm – students – and we’re talking about a 6-year-old child.
“I don’t know what all was going through that individual’s mind, but what I do know is that [Zwerner] made sure each of those kids were out of the room and she was the last one to leave.
“I believe she did save lives, because I don’t know what else might have happened if those kids would have stayed in that room.”
Police believe the actions of the teacher helped save lives on Friday and have confirmed it was an intentional shooting.
Drew said: “This shooting was not accidental. It was intentional. And I believe that Ms. Zwerner, Abigail, that she saved lives on Friday."
When officers arrived to the classroom after the shooting “they found a 6-year-old child that was being physically restrained by a school employee”, according to police.
The child had “became a little agitated” and “struck the school employee who was restraining him,” as the gun was left on the floor, Drew admitted.
It remains unclear if authorities will press any charges against the parents as the gun was legally purchased by the mum.
However, "a key element for us to determine” is how secure the gun was in the house, Mr Drew said.
Newport News Public Schools Superintendent George Parker III confirmed the school will remain shut until their investigation is complete.
