A Virginia jury has determined that Ebony Parker, the assistant principal of Richneck Elementary School, acted with gross negligence in the tragic shooting of first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner. This significant verdict comes from a civil lawsuit stemming from the events of January 2023, when Zwerner was shot by a then-6-year-old student in her classroom. The jury awarded Zwerner $10 million in damages, with interest accruing from June 1, 2024.
The shooting incident occurred at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, and has drawn considerable media attention due to its shocking nature. Zwerner's lawsuit claimed that Parker failed to take action despite being informed multiple times that a student had a firearm on the day of the incident. According to court documents, Parker did not allow staff to search the child before the shooting took place. The jury began deliberations on Wednesday and reached their verdict shortly thereafter.
Parker remained silent as the verdict was read in court on Thursday, while Zwerner's legal team expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Attorney Diane Toscano stated, “I remember just three years ago, almost to this day, hearing for the first time Abby's story and thinking that this could have been prevented.” Toscano highlighted the jury's agreement that the tragedy was avoidable, reinforcing the responsibility of school officials to ensure student safety.
Zwerner's attorneys initially sought $40 million in damages, citing Parker's reckless disregard for Zwerner’s safety and the ongoing pain and emotional distress Zwerner has suffered since the shooting. The bullet that struck Zwerner went through her left hand and into her chest, where it remains lodged. Zwerner was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following the incident. Attorney Kevin Biniazan emphasized the importance of acting swiftly in situations involving firearms, citing Parker's failure to respond appropriately as a critical factor in the case.
During the closing arguments, Parker's defense attorney, Sandra Douglas, argued that the case should not be viewed through the lens of hindsight. She pointed out that the likelihood of a 6-year-old possessing a firearm was low and emphasized that the shooting was an unprecedented tragedy. Douglas urged the jury not to blame Parker for a situation that was unforeseeable.
Zwerner testified during the trial, sharing her harrowing experience of the shooting. “I thought I had died,” she recounted, explaining the confusion and fear she felt in the aftermath. Notably, Parker did not testify during the trial, and three other defendants initially named in Zwerner's complaint were dismissed prior to the trial.
Both Zwerner and Parker have resigned from their positions following the shooting. Zwerner has since completed a cosmetology program but is still recovering from surgery to her hand. Meanwhile, Parker faces serious legal consequences, having been charged with eight counts of felony child abuse, reflecting the gravity of the situation. A trial for these criminal charges is set to commence later this month.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of school safety and the responsibilities of educational staff in protecting students and faculty alike. The jury's decision highlights the severe consequences of negligence within an educational setting.
