The Newport News teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old boy has been identified and called a hero for telling her students to run out of the classroom to a safer location.
RELATED STORIES: Six-Year-Old Student Shoots Teacher At Virginia Elementary School
Abby Zwerner, 25, was identified as the teacher who was critically injured after being shot in the chest at Richneck Elementary School on Friday. She was rushed to Riverside Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, according to the New York Post. Zwerner was hailed a hero after telling her students to flee the classroom immediately following the shooting. As per new information, the boy shot Zwerner on purpose following an alleged argument between the two.
A parent told Fox 3 Now that Zwerner cares about her students and that they hope she recovers quickly. “She is a great teacher who works hard. My son loves her very much, and we’re all very sad about what happened. We’re all thinking about her and hoping she gets better soon,” Sebastian Gonzalez-Hernandez told the outlet.
RELATED STORIES: French Montana Speaks Out Following Florida Shooting: “Wrong Place At The Wrong Time”
The elementary school released a statement confirming the shooting and said the children were escorted to the gym for safety.
There has been a shooting incident at Richneck Elementary School. A teacher was injured and transported to a local hospital. All of the students are safe. The perpetrator is in police custody. The Police Department and school division leaders are onsite and actively investigating. Parent and student reunification is taking place at the Richneck gym door. Parents and guardians must present a picture ID to pick up their child.
After Zwerner’s identity was confirmed, there was an outpouring of prayers for the beloved teacher to recover from her injuries.
This is #AbbyZwerner. She’s 25 years old & fighting for her life. Why? Her 6 year old student intentionally shot her at school. She saved other students by telling them to run away. School should be safe for #teachers & kids. More needs to be done. #gunreformnow #teacherlife pic.twitter.com/D09AAyu3jj
— Miss Nikki 📚 (@MissNikkiIn5th) January 7, 2023
Prayers for Abby Zwerner and her family.
— Jim Fields (@jf_ultra08) January 7, 2023
Please send prayers and positive vibes for this young teacher. #AbbyZwerner
— TX Girl Ridin a Blue Wave🌊🌊🌊✝️🇺🇸🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@rojo2k) January 7, 2023
My prayers are with Abby Zwerner whose first thought was to save her students.
By virtue of profession, teachers are heroes. None should have to face gun violence to prove their heroism.
A 1st grade teacher shot by her own 1st grader. What an appalling crisis of gun violence. https://t.co/CofdYPZGaZ
— Ghazala Hashmi (@SenatorHashmi) January 7, 2023