A lawsuit against the administration of the elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, was filed by 25-year-old teacher Abigail Zuerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student last January.

Accusing the school administration of ignoring warnings from staff and students that the 6-year-old was carrying a gun, Zuerner is seeking $40 million in damages.

Although school shootings are a scourge in the US, the January 6 attack in Newport News was unusual because of the age of the gunman, who police say deliberately targeted his first-grade teacher.

Abigail Zuerner accuses Richneck Elementary School Vice Principal Ebony Parker of putting her life in danger by ignoring at least three reports that a gun had been seen at the school, possibly in the possession of the 6-year-old assailant. Ebony Parker resigned after the attack.

The lawsuit names two other officials: former school superintendent George Parker, who was fired after the attack, and former elementary school principal Brianna Foster Newton, who was moved to another position.

The 25-year-old teacher alleged that school management knew the 6-year-old had a history of assaulting classmates and teachers, but allowed him to return to Richneck after he had been temporarily removed for violent behavior.

For its part, the school administration admitted that it had received warnings that the boy was carrying a weapon at school, but a search of his belongings did not turn up a weapon.

Abigail Zuerner, 25, was hailed as a hero by police for the operation to evacuate her classroom, even though the 6-year-old shot her and wounded her in the arm and chest.

A Virginia district attorney said he does not plan to press charges against the 6-year-old, but lawyers say the student’s mother will be held responsible if it is determined the gun was not kept in a safe place in the family home.

The boy’s family said in a statement that the gun was “secured” at home. He points out that the 6-year-old is facing a serious health problem and, after consultation with the school management, one of the parents accompanied him to class every day. However, he emphasizes that for the “first time” in the week of January 2-6, none of them were with the student in class, without clarifying the reason.