A GoFundMe campaign organised by twin sister of Virginia teacher 25-year-old Abigail Zwerner, who saved an entire class of students after a 6-year-old shot her in the hand and chest, has so far amassed over $125,000 of the $250,000 target.
Hannah Zwerner – her twin wrote that the money is to support “the healing” of her sister and that her family and herself are humbled by the outpouring of support they have been receiving.
“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,” she wrote.
Abby was intentionally shot and injured by a student on January 6, 2023 at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, United States.
She was hospitalised and said to be in stable condition. Abby has been hailed as a ‘hero’ for her bravery in the face of danger.
Media reports are that Zwerner was teaching when the 6-year-old boy brandished the firearm, pointed it at her and fired one round which went through her hand, exited the rear of her hand into her upper chest.
“She suffered a gunshot wound but she was still able to get all of her students out of that classroom. From the video surveillance we have of the hallway, you can see the students running out of that classroom across the hall— about 17-20 students — of that classroom into other classrooms. Ms. Zwerner was the last person to leave that class. She made a right turn and started down the hallway and then she stopped. She turned around. She turned around to make sure that every one of those students were safe,” Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said at a press conference held on Monday.
