Virginia Student, SIX, Shoots Teacher During an Altercation in Class. "Not an Accidental Shooting."

In a day and time where parents are on constant high alert concerning school intruders and stranger danger, one Virginia school district is facing the unimaginable. An elementary school teacher was shot inside her classroom by one of her own students. That student is a 6-year-old boy.

The police chief said there was an altercation between the teacher and the student, who had the firearm, and that a single round was fired. No other students were involved, he added.

Authorities and the Newport News public school district did not identify the teacher or the student involved in the shooting.

But the teacher was identified by her alma mater, James Madison University, as Abby Zwerner.

“All of us as James Madison University are deeply saddened by the reported tragic shooting of JMU alumna Abby Zwerner,” university President Jonathan R. Alger said in a statement posted on the school’s official Facebook page.

“JMU is prepared to support those impacted by this incident now and in the weeks to come,” the statement added.

Zwerner (right) is listed as a first-grade teacher in Richneck Elementary School’s staff directory.

“The response from the district has made parents like myself feel like the violence that is happening within the schools isn’t being adequately addressed,” mother of three Molly Hunter told NBC News.

“I believe that the district is working hard – they have had a difficult time staffing our schools. They seem to be stretched thin and the violence problems are out of control”, Hunter said.

The elementary school will remain closed Monday and Tuesday to give the community “time to heal,” Principal Briana Foster Newton said in a statement, adding that officials will update families if the closure is extended.

“My heart is aching for our school community,” the principal said. “My thoughts and prayers remain with our teacher who was seriously injured, and our students and our staff, who are dealing with the aftereffects of this tragedy.”

In a separate statement, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said his administration offered assistance in response to the shooting and “stand at the ready to help in any way we can.”

“I am continuing to monitor the situation and am praying for the continued safety of all students and the community,” the governor said Friday.

Reports say that Zwerner told the children in her class to "run away" after she was shot by the student. The boy is not being identified because of his age and the state of Virginia prevents six-year-olds being tried as adults. And the child would also be too young to be committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice if found guilty.

But a judge could revoke the parents' custody of the boy and take him into the supervision of the state.

Whatever they're going to do, it needs to include psychological help for the child. In no way should this have been his reaction to anything that anyone said or did to him. The public is crying out for more strict laws concerning guns and violent offenses. This child never should have had access to a firearm.

Zwerner remains hospitalized but is improving.