A teacher who was shot in the chest and hand by a six-year-old boy has revealed for the first time she "thought she was dead".
Abigail Zwerner, 25, was shot by one of her pupils at Richneck Elementary School in the city of Newport News, Virginia, US on January 6 after the boy stuffed a gun in his backpack.
The teacher has spoken publicly for the first time since the incident as she admitted her fears regarding the child's behaviour soon became a reality.
She said: "The morning it felt like just a regular school day, but I started hearing things and things started happening that made my fear grow."
Ms Zwerner has instructed her lawyers to sue the school district after a single gunshot wound went through her hand and upper chest.
Her lawyers argue senior staff leaders at the school had been warned multiple times by concerned members of staff amid fears the boy was carrying a gun.
She believes the school failed to act and properly respond to her concerns as the boy's behaviour became increasingly erratic.
The teacher recalled the day of the shooting which she hasn't been able to get out of her head.
She added to NBC: "I remember the look on his face. I remember feeling something. It was a pretty scary day."
Ms Zwerner, who appeared on camera with her left hand wrapped in a medical bandage, was asked how her injuries have affected her.
She replied: "The initial gunshot went through my left hand and ruptured the middle bone as well as the index finger and the thumb. The gunshot then went into my chest up here where it actually still remains.
"So, I have a scar up here, and I still have some bullet fragments up here."
She revealed doctors believed he gunshot wound "could have been fatal" but as the bullet went through her hand it "most likely saved her my life."
The teacher was labelled a hero after she ushered her students out of the classroom before seeking help for her gun wounds.
She was rushed to hospital where she remained in a critical condition.
Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn confirmed police would not seek charges against the boy as the "prospect that a six-year-old can stand trial is problematic" due to the boy being unable to understand the complex legal system.
The family of the boy have not been charged after they said the 6-year-old suffers from an "acute disability" and would not attend school without one of his parents being present.
It was also revealed by authorities the boy attended the school alone on the day of the shooting - and had brought in a firearm which was legally purchased by his mum.
The school has since installed full-time security and metal detectors following the shooting.
