A Virginia jury has found an assistant principal guilty of gross negligence in the case involving a 6-year-old student who shot his first-grade teacher. The jury awarded Abby Zwerner, the teacher, $10 million in damages, marking a pivotal moment in a case that has captured national attention.
Key Details of the Richneck School Shooting Case
The incident occurred in January 2023 at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. Zwerner was teaching her first-grade class when she was shot by a student who had brought a firearm to school. The bullet penetrated her left hand and lodged in her chest, causing life-threatening injuries.
Related Article: Richneck School Shooting Report: 6-Year-Old’s Gun Jammed, Admin Ignored Classmates’ Warnings
The lawsuit filed by Zwerner alleged that Ebony Parker, the assistant principal at the time, acted with gross negligence. Despite being alerted multiple times about the possibility of the student having a gun, Parker failed to take action. Her inaction allegedly allowed the student to carry the firearm into the classroom.
Zwerner’s attorney, Kevin Biniazan, argued that there were numerous opportunities for Parker to investigate the warnings provided by school staff, who had “sounded the alarm” regarding the firearm.
Parker’s defense, however, argued that the situation was unprecedented and unforeseeable, emphasizing the improbability of a six-year-old carrying out such an act.
Background and Legal Proceedings
The civil complaint originally sought $40 million in damages, claiming Parker recklessly disregarded Zwerner’s safety. The case only proceeded against Parker after three other defendants, including two school administrators and the Newport News School Board, were dismissed from the lawsuit.
Parker did not testify during the trial. She now faces additional challenges, as she has been charged with eight counts of felony child abuse, each count corresponding to a bullet found in the firearm. Her criminal trial is set to begin this month.
The student involved in the shooting had acquired the firearm from home. His mother, Deja Taylor, is serving a two-year prison sentence for child neglect related to the incident and has completed a concurrent sentence for federal firearm and drug charges.
Following the shooting, both Zwerner and Parker resigned from their positions. Zwerner has since trained in cosmetology but has delayed employment as she recovers from recent hand surgery.
