Abby Zwerner
(Picture: Facebook)A six-year-old Virginia boy shot his teacher while she was mid-class and had moved to confiscate the handgun, it has been reported.
There was no fight, no physical struggle and no warning before Abby Zwerner was shot in the school in Newport News, US police said on Monday.
A Richneck Elementary School parent told reporters that the 25-year-old teacher was fired at as she tried to confiscate the weapon from the unnamed boy.
Brittaney Gregory said her son was in the same class and that Ms Zwerner was his favourite teacher.
“She was going to confiscate it, and that’s when he shot,” she told the Washington Post.
Ms Zwerner was shot in the abdomen through her hand but is said to be in an improving condition in hospital after it was originally said she was in a “life threatening” state.
Ms Gregory said she is a “sweet lady” and “very attentive”.
Newport News police Chief Steve Drew said that the 9mm handgun used by the boy was legally purchased by his mother and was in the family's home.
He had previously said that the shooting was not accidental but had declined to elaborate.
“What we know today is that she was providing instruction. He displayed a firearm, he pointed it and he fired one round," Mr Drew said.
Mr Drew hailed Ms Zwerner as a hero for quickly hustling her students out of the classroom after she was shot. He said surveillance video shows she was the last person to leave her classroom.
"She made a right turn and started down the hallway, and then she stopped. ... She turned around and made sure every one of those students was safe," Mr Drew said.
Mr Drew said a school employee rushed into the classroom and physically restrained the boy after hearing the gunshot. He said the boy became "a little combative" and struck the employee. Police officers arrived and escorted him out of the building and into a police car.
The boy has been held at a medical facility since an emergency custody order and temporary detention order were issued Friday, Mr Drew said. He said it will be up to a judge to determine what the next steps are for the boy. He also said the boy's mother has been interviewed by police, but it is unclear whether she could potentially face any charges.
Classes at Richneck Elementary School were cancelled on Monday and Tuesday.
