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

Zwerner is listed as a first-grade teacher in Richneck Elementary Schools

Teacher in stable condition, police say

In a the Newport News Police Department said the teacher had improved and was listed in stable condition, adding the chief had met with her and her family.

Chief Drew asked that you continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers, police said. A day earlier, the chief had described the teachers injuries as life-threatening.

An investigation is ongoing, police said.

Well get the investigation done, theres questions well want to ask and find out about. I want to know where that firearm came from, what was the situation, Drew said in Fridays news conference.

Impossible to wrap our minds around

Newport News Mayor Phillip D. Jones said Saturday authorities were working to answer questions the community has grappled with since the shooting.

It is almost impossible to wrap our minds around the fact that a 6 year old 1st grader brought a loaded handgun to school and shot a teacher; however, this is exactly what our community is grappling with today, the mayor said in posted on Twitter.

Authorities are working diligently to get an answer to the question we are all asking how did this happen? We are also working to ensure the child receives the supports and services he needs as we continue to process what took place, Jones said.

Speaking during Fridays news conference, Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. George Parker said he was saddened by the shooting and called for better gun safety measures from the community to keep firearms away from children.

Im in shock, and Im disheartened, Parker said in Fridays news conference. We need to educate our children and we need to keep them safe.

We need the communitys support, continued support, to make sure that guns are not available to youth and Im sounding like a broken record today, because I continue to reiterate that: that we need to keep the guns out of the hands of our young people, the superintendent said.

Officials are also looking into any past instances that may have transpired before the shooting, Parker added.

Elementary school closed Monday and Tuesday

The elementary school will remain closed Monday and Tuesday to give the community time to heal, Principal Briana Foster Newton 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 governorFriday.

CNNs Hannah Sarisohn contributed to this report.