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First-grade teacher Abby Zwerner,25, is being hailed as a hero. She was shot by her 6-year-old student in the classroom at Richneck Elementary School.

Wounded in the hand and the chest at point-blank range the teacher made sure all her students were safely out before she sought help for herself.

Parents and students almost universally love Abby Zwerner. Many of them say she is an encouraging and loving teacher. And she is known for leaving surprise notes in her student's backpacks.

Everyone interviewed after the event claims that Abby Zwerner is beloved by the school's students and parents.

Hailed as a hero by the school community

 Sebastian Gonzalez-Hernandez’s 6-year-old son was in Zwerner’s class when the shooting occurred. 

'My son didn't see what happened, he heard the gunshot go off, and turned around to see Miss Zwerner on the floor,' he told DailyMail.com.

'Even after she'd been shot, she was thinking about the safety of her children,' Gonzalez-Hernandez said.

'She is an amazing teacher, so dedicated. My son absolutely loves her, and we're devastated about what's happened. We are all thinking of her and hoping that she gets better soon.'

Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew met with the teacher and her family Saturday. And although her condition was upgraded, from critical to serious, her wounds are described as “life-threatening.”

Chief Drew also hailed Zwerner as a hero. And said she made sure all of the children in her class were safe and out of the room before she tried to get help for herself.

He also said that she first asked him when he visited, "do you know how my students are.”

GoFundMe Campaign

The hero teacher is expected to make a full recovery. But it will take time. And her twin sister set up a GoFundMe campaign to help offset some of the costs of medical treatment and living expenses.

“My twin sister, first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner, was shot and injured by a student on January 6, 2023, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, United States.”

“Abby, my family, and I are humbled by the outpouring of support we’ve received in the days following the event. Thank you for all of the prayers, well wishes, and words of kindness.”

“If you're looking for ways to help, I am creating this fund to help aid in Abby's healing. Its purpose is to cover future living expenses as Abby recovers from this tragedy.”

Vigil for teacher Abby Zwerner

On Monday, January 9 there was a vigil to honor the teacher.

It was attended by Zwerner's friends, coworkers, family, students, and their parents. The community has shown overwhelming support and love for the first-grade teacher.

Jennifer West, a co-worker at Richneck described Zwerner as a “remarkable individual and a hero who helped save other lives in the classroom during the incident.”

George Parker, Newport News Public Schools Superintendent. praised the community for their unwavering support. He said “While this is a tough time, I also want (others) to understand that not only do people need to see what we’re going through and understand that, but we also need to see how connected we are”