NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Abby Zwerner, the first grade teacher shot in January by her student at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, made her first public appearance Monday in an interview with Savannah Guthrie on NBC Nightly News.
Zwerner was in the middle of class just before 2 p.m. on Jan. 6 when police say a 6-year-old student suddenly pointed a gun at her and fired one round. Zwerner took a defensive position, bringing a hand up to protect herself. The bullet entered her hand, went out the other side and then entered her upper chest.
She then shuffled the other students — between 17 and 20 children — out of the classroom. The school’s video surveillance footage showed the students, followed by Zwerner, leaving the class, with Zwerner stopping at one point to make sure the students were safe. The students went to another classroom, while Zwerner went to an administration office where staffers began aiding her.
