Parents of Virginia boy, 6, who shot his teacher could face charges if cops ... trends now

The parents of a six-year-old boy who allegedly took a gun from home, put it in his backpack and shot his teacher could face charges for not properly securing the weapon - as a substitute teacher reveals that the victim had been struggling with some students. 

The first grader is accused of shooting Abby Zwerner, 25, just as the Richneck Elementary School school teacher 'tried to confiscate' the deadly firearm leaving her with serious injuries, according to the Washington Post.

In an update from the school on the incident, the 25-year-old is said to be in a 'stable condition and is talking with family and friends.' 

The substitute teacher, named Celeste on TikTok, who subbed for Zwerner said she knew the child who shot her. 

'I subbed for her class this year, I taught her class, I taught the 6-year-old that shot her,' she said on her TikTok, twitch_cyberhex.

In a follow-up, the TikToker said she 'knew [Zwerner] was struggling with some of the kids in there.'

Commenters on the TikToks were sympathetic for both the substitute teacher and the parent.

'So scary and I'm so glad you're all safe!' one commenter said.

'Hugs to you, prayers to Abby,' another wrote.

'You have done all you can I promise it's just a heartbreaking reality that these events still happen when they're preventable take care of yourself,' said another.

In a bid to 'give students and families time to heal' the school was closed and will reopen next week.

On Monday, Newport News Chief of Police Steve Drew said in a press conference posted to Facebook that the child had found the gun in his home and put it in his backpack to bring to school.

Because the gun, which was legally purchased by the child's mother, was taken from the home of the parents, who have not been identified, could face criminal liability for the incident.

Under state laws guns must be secured from kids under 14 according to a description of the penalty to allow access to firearms by children on Virginia's Legislative Information System.

'It shall be unlawful for any person to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of fourteen,' it reads.

'Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.'

The penalty also states that it is unlawful for any person to knowingly authorize a child under the age of 12 to use a firearm except when the child is under supervision of an adult.

'Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor,' it reads.

'For purposes of this subsection, 'adult' shall mean a parent, guardian, person standing in loco parentis to the child or a person twenty-one years or over who has the permission of the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to supervise the child in the use of a firearm.'