In a shocking incident that has drawn national attention, Abby Zwerner, a teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, is suing for $40 million following a traumatic event where her then-6-year-old student shot her in the classroom. During her civil trial on Thursday, Zwerner testified about the harrowing day in January 2023, revealing that she initially questioned whether the child had a real gun until he brandished it and fired at her.
Zwerner recounted her experience as the last witness for the plaintiff in the ongoing trial. Her lawsuit claims that the school's assistant principal at the time, Ebony Parker, failed to take appropriate action after receiving multiple reports that the student, referred to as JT in court, possessed a firearm. Despite repeated requests, Parker allegedly did not allow anyone to search the child prior to the shooting.
On the day of the incident, Zwerner learned about JT potentially carrying a gun from a reading specialist, Amy Kovac, who testified earlier in the week that two students had informed her that JT had a gun in his backpack. Zwerner explained in court, "I knew that she was going to tell Dr. Parker," when asked why she did not directly inform Parker about the suspected firearm.
According to Kovac's testimony, she had searched JT's backpack during recess but found no gun, which she suspected would be the case based on Zwerner's earlier text. Zwerner confirmed in her testimony that she had seen JT take something out of his backpack and put it in his pocket before recess. She expressed her uncertainty throughout the day, stating, "The whole day, I was contemplating it could be real, but it also could not." However, her worst fears were realized when JT pulled out the gun after recess and shot her.
The bullet struck Zwerner's left hand, which she had raised, and then entered her chest, where it remains lodged. Zwerner described her frightening experience during the shooting, saying, "I thought I had died. I thought I was either on my way to heaven or in heaven." She was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident.
The civil complaint against Parker alleges that she acted with gross negligence and reckless disregard for Zwerner's safety. During cross-examination, the defense questioned Zwerner's actions on the day of the shooting, highlighting that she did not communicate with the two students who reported JT's gun, nor did she speak to JT or Parker directly. Zwerner defended her actions, stating, "I trusted Ms. Kovac. She has 20, 30 years of teaching experience over my three, two-and-a-half years."
Furthermore, Zwerner admitted that she did not remove JT from her classroom or search his backpack herself. Following the shooting incident, both Zwerner and Parker resigned from their positions at the school. Notably, three other defendants initially named in Zwerner's complaint, including two school administrators and the Newport News School Board, were dismissed from the lawsuit prior to the trial.
In connection with the shooting, Ebony Parker has also been charged with eight counts of felony child abuse with disregard for life—one count for each bullet in the gun. The Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has indicated that a trial for these criminal charges is scheduled to begin next month.
This ongoing legal battle raises significant questions about safety protocols in schools and the responsibilities of educators and administrators in preventing such tragic incidents. As the trial continues, the community and the nation watch closely, hoping for justice and answers.
