We’ve heard this before: A teacher is attacked by a student and shot. What makes this story more terrifying is that the child in this case was only 6 years old.

In the Jan. 6 shooting in Newport News, Va., we now know where the boy got the gun — he took it from his mother, who had purchased it legally, and he put it in his backpack.

We also know that first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner, of Richneck Elementary School, was critically injured but is expected to recover. We know Zwerner was heroic in getting the children to another classroom. She was the last to leave the classroom, and then, once she made sure her children were safe, she stumbled down the hall to the main office, where she collapsed.

We also know the violence was not an accident. Police said the child and the teacher had an “altercation” before the single shot was fired.

It is hard to imagine how a 6-year-old decided to use a gun to try to kill his teacher or why. Or how a 6-year-old mind was able to plan out all the steps — obtaining the gun, making sure it was loaded, putting it in his backpack, bringing it to school, and pulling it out to create an “altercation.”

At a recent school board meeting in Newport News, the rage flowed freely and flaws in that district’s system were revealed.

At Richneck, students who assaulted classmates and staff were routinely allowed to stay in the classroom with few consequences, the board was told. Teachers’ concerns are frequently ignored.

“Every day in every one of our schools, teachers, students and other staff members are being hurt,” said high school librarian Nicole Cooke at the Jan. 17 meeting. “Every day, they’re hit. They’re bitten. They’re beaten. And (the students) are allowed to stay so that our numbers look good.”

Zwerner's shooting was “completely preventable — if the red flags had been taken seriously and proper procedures clearly communicated and followed,” Amber Thomas, a former school psychologist in Newport News, told the board.

She said she and a school counselor were often called to intervene during explosive behaviors, and the students involved faced no disciplinary action.

We strongly condemn the shooting, and support Zwerner as she recovers. We urge school administrations everywhere to be vigilant and take all measures possible to ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff.

— LZ