Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Student Awarded $10 Million in Civil Suit
A teacher named Abby Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old student at school.
She sued a school administrator, Ebony Parker, because Abby said Parker knew the student had a gun but did nothing.
Abby's lawyers told the jury that school staff warned Parker multiple times.
Parker's defense argued that it was impossible to know a young child would shoot someone.
The jury agreed with Abby and decided Parker was responsible.
They gave Abby $10 million to help with her injuries.
Abby had to have many surgeries and still has a bullet in her chest, and she can't use her hand like before.
She no longer works at the school.
A jury awarded former teacher Abby Zwerner $10 million in a civil lawsuit against ex-assistant principal Ebony Parker.
Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in January 2023.
The lawsuit claimed Parker ignored multiple warnings from school staff that the student had a gun.
Zwerner sustained severe injuries, requiring six surgeries, and has limited use of her left hand with a bullet remaining in her chest.
The jury's decision sided with Zwerner's claim that Parker's inaction led to the foreseeable shooting.
- Who
- Former teacher Abby Zwerner and former assistant principal Ebony Parker
- What
- A jury awarded $10 million to Abby Zwerner in a civil trial against Ebony Parker after Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old student.
- When
- November 7, 2025 (decision date), January 2023 (shooting incident)
- Where
- Newport News, Virginia
- Why
- Zwerner sued Parker, alleging that Parker ignored multiple warnings from school staff that the student possessed a gun, which led to Zwerner being shot.
Abby Zwerner's Legal Team
Ebony Parker's Defense
Foreseeability of the Shooting
Abby Zwerner's Legal Team
Assistant Principal Ebony Parker was repeatedly warned by school staff that the 6-year-old student had a gun and failed to take appropriate action, making the shooting foreseeable.
Ebony Parker's Defense
Parker's decisions should not be judged based on hindsight, and she could not have anticipated that a 6-year-old child would shoot a teacher.
- Teacher's Name
- Abby Zwerner
- Administrator's Name
- Ebony Parker
- Shooter's Age
- 6 years old
- Incident Date
- January 2023
- School
- Richneck Elementary School, Newport News, Virginia
- Awarded Damages
- $10 million
- Teacher's Injuries
- Shot in the chest, requiring six surgeries, with a bullet remaining in her chest and limited use of her left hand.
