UPDATE: A jury has awarded $10 million in damages to Abigail Zwerner, a Virginia teacher shot by her 6-year-old student in January 2023. The verdict, which concluded a negligence lawsuit against a school administrator, was delivered on Thursday, highlighting significant concerns over school safety and accountability.
Zwerner was shot in her classroom at Richneck Elementary in Newport News after the boy brought a 9mm handgun to school in his backpack. After firing a single bullet that struck Zwerner in her hand and chest, she managed to evacuate her students, demonstrating remarkable courage despite her injuries. Zwerner has undergone five surgeries and still has the bullet lodged in her chest.
The lawsuit contended that former assistant principal Ebony Parker ignored multiple warnings from students about the firearm’s presence. Zwerner’s legal team argued that Parker was aware of the potential threat but failed to act. Parker is scheduled to face a criminal trial next month on charges of child abuse and neglect related to the incident.
In a related note, the boy’s mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced to 21 months in prison in 2023 for federal charges involving gun possession and false statements during a purchase. This case, alongside others involving parents of school shooters, could have far-reaching implications for legal accountability in school shootings across the United States.
As this story develops, it underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in schools and the responsibilities of both educators and parents in preventing firearm access to children.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical case as it unfolds.
