In brief
A Virginia jury has awarded former first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner $10 million after she was shot by a 6-year-old student in January 2023. Zwerner's lawsuit focused on negligence by former assistant principal Ebony Parker, who reportedly ignored multiple warnings about the student carrying a firearm. Despite seeking $40 million, Zwerner's victory underscores concerns over school safety and gun access among young children.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A Virginia jury awarded $10 million on Thursday to Abby Zwerner, a former teacher shot by a 6-year-old student. The lawsuit targeted Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School, claiming she failed to heed repeated warnings about the child possessing a firearm.
The jury's verdict came after Zwerner sought $40 million in damages, highlighting the profound impact of the traumatic incident that occurred while she was at a reading table in her classroom in January 2023. The shooting led to Zwerner spending almost two weeks hospitalized, undergoing six surgeries, and suffering ongoing physical challenges.
Zwerner testified that she first heard about the gun prior to recess, before the shooting happened just a few hours later. Despite her injuries, she managed to evacuate her students from the classroom before collapsing in the school office, believing she might die.
Attorneys for Zwerner noted Parker had a responsibility to protect students and staff after receiving multiple alerts regarding the child's firearm possession. The incident raised critical questions about how a child so young could access a gun.
Parker, who did not testify during this trial, favors a separate criminal trial this month on eight counts of felony child neglect, potentially facing years in prison if convicted. The child's mother previously received a nearly four-year sentence for felony child neglect linked to the incident.
Zwerner, who no longer works in the education sector, has retrained as a licensed cosmetologist, seeking to rebuild her life after the traumatic events. The case continues to resonate in the community, highlighting broader conversations around school safety and gun control.
