Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Teacher Shot By Student Testifies in Civil Trial
A teacher named Abigail was shot by a 6-year-old student at her school a couple of years ago.
The bullet went through her hand and into her chest.
She felt like she was dying.
Now, Abigail is in a trial and sharing her story.
She is suing the school's assistant principal, Ebony, because Abigail says people warned Ebony that the boy might have a gun and was acting badly, but Ebony didn't do anything.
Abigail's lawyer says they warned Ebony before the shooting.
Ebony's lawyer says no one could have known this would happen.
Abigail says the shooting changed her life and she still has pain and trouble doing simple things.
There are also other legal cases happening because of the shooting.
Former Virginia teacher Abigail Zwerner testified emotionally in a civil trial stemming from a shooting by a 6-year-old student.
Zwerner is suing former Assistant Principal Ebony Parker for $40 million, alleging Parker ignored warnings about the student bringing a gun and exhibiting violent behavior.
The shooting occurred in January 2023 at Richneck Elementary School, with the bullet injuring Zwerner's hand and chest.
Parker's lawyer argued that the incident was unpredictable and an example of 'hindsight bias'.
Zwerner described significant physical and emotional struggles since the shooting, impacting her daily life.
- Who
- Abigail Zwerner, a former elementary school teacher, and Ebony Parker, a former school administrator
- What
- Abigail Zwerner testified in a civil trial after being shot by a 6-year-old student. She is suing the former assistant principal for $40 million, alleging ignored warnings.
- When
- The shooting occurred in January 2023. The testimony is part of a civil trial.
- Where
- Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia
- Why
- Zwerner is suing the assistant principal, Ebony Parker, alleging that Parker ignored multiple warnings about the student possibly bringing a gun to school and exhibiting violent behavior, leading to the shooting.
- Teacher
- Abigail Zwerner
- School
- Richneck Elementary School, Newport News, Virginia
- Date of Incident
- January 2023
- Lawsuit Amount
- $40 Million
- Defendant
- Ebony Parker, former Assistant Principal