Staff at school knew pupil, 6, had gun before he shot his teacher in classroom

Staff at the school of a six-year-old pupil who shot his teacher knew he had a gun, it has emerged.

Teacher Abby Zwerner, 25, was shot by a schoolboy at Richneck Elementary School in Virgina, US, on January 6 with a 9mm handgun after stashing the weapon in his backpack.

However, according to school administrators, the child have may have had the weapon, which was legally purchased by his mum, in his possession before the shooting.

The school system's superintendent George Parker said the school did not seize the weapon he brought into the classroom.

He told parents Thursday in an online meeting that a school official was notified about the weapon before the 6-year-old shot the teacher at Richneck Elementary in Newport News.

Police Chief Steve Drew said the 6-year-old took a gun out of his backpack, aimed it at his teacher and fired one round (John C Clark/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

He said: "At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon in the timeline that we're reviewing and was aware that that student had.

"There was a potential that there was a weapon on campus," the superintendent told parents, according to a clip of the meeting broadcast by WAVY-TV.

The online meeting was for parents only but WAVY-TV reported the station gained access to the meeting from a parent.

She had just finished reading a story when the gun went off (Facebook)

Details about how they learned about the weapon and why it wasn't found before the shooting have not been confirmed.

The police chief has previously said the boy brought the gun to school in his backpack.

The teacher, Abigiail Zwerner,was shot in the chest with injuries initially considered to be life threatening.

Her condition has improved, though, and she has been reported in stable condition at a hospital talking to friends and family.

Following the shooting, Newport News School Board Chair Lisa Surles-Law said the district will now install metal detectors at all schools.

A candlelight vigil was held in honour of first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner at the school (John C Clark/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Authorities said there was no warning and no struggle before the boy pointed the gun at Zwerner.

Police Chief Steve Drew has described the shooting as intentional.

He 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.

A judge will determine what's next for the child, who is being held at a medical facility following an emergency custody order.

Virginia law prohibits leaving a loaded gun where it is accessible to a child under 14 as a misdemeanour as the boy's parents face possible charges.