A former Virginia teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student has been awarded over $10 million after a jury found a former assistant principal ignored warning signs that the boy had brought a gun to the school. Abigail Zwerner filed a lawsuit against Ebony Parker, the former vice principal of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, alleging gross negligence on Parker’s part for ignoring multiple warnings about the young child having a gun on campus and planning a heinous act in 2023.
A panel of three men and four women sided with Zwerner, awarding her $10 million in damages, plus interest, after she was severely wounded by the student. The bullet tore through her hand and chest, resulting in a collapsed lung. Zwerner’s attorneys expressed satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing that the tragedy could have been prevented if proper action had been taken.
Parker is currently facing criminal charges of felony child abuse and neglect for her alleged indifference in a separate legal matter. Leading up to the tragic incident, Zwerner had expressed feeling “uncomfortable” with the student in her class, citing concerning incidents in emails to administrators.
In one incident on October 11, Zwerner reported that the child displayed troubling behavior by giving a classmate the middle finger. Another email detailed how the student pushed a classmate to the ground during a typical classroom day that turned violent. Zwerner made it clear in subsequent emails that she did not feel comfortable with the student returning to her classroom and suggested a meeting with the parents to address behavioral difficulties.
Months after the shooting, the mother of the 6-year-old student spoke out, expressing her son’s feelings of being ignored. She mentioned that her son was on a special care plan requiring parental presence in class, but they were absent during the week of the shooting. According to Zwerner’s lawsuit, the student had a history of random violence and had attacked both students and teachers. The mother described her son as energetic and stated that despite his ADHD, he was making progress with medication and academic goals.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing warning signs and taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of students and staff in educational environments. It highlights the need for effective communication and action when concerns arise, emphasizing the responsibility of school administrators to prioritize the well-being of their school community.
