NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A jury in Virginia awarded $10 million to former teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student in January 2023. The jury's decision came against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, who was accused of ignoring multiple warnings from staff about the child's access to a firearm.
Zwerner was gravely injured during the shooting while she was conducting a reading session in her first-grade classroom. She endured nearly two weeks in the hospital and underwent six surgeries, losing partial use of her left hand. A bullet narrowly missed her heart and remains lodged in her chest.
The shooting has raised critical questions regarding school safety and the responsibilities of administrators. Zwerner's attorneys argued that Parker failed to protect her and other students when informed about the child's gun. Zwerner's case sought $40 million in damages initially.
Parker did not testify at the trial; however, her attorney suggested that hindsight bias affected jurors' perceptions of the incident. You will be able to judge for yourself whether or not this was foreseeable, Hogan stated, emphasizing the importance of evaluating actions taken prior to the shooting.
The incident has had a lasting impact on the local community, creating a wider dialogue about gun access and school safety measures. Zwerner has since left her teaching position and pursued a career as a licensed cosmetologist.
Furthermore, Parker faces criminal charges related to the incident, including multiple counts of felony child neglect, which could lead to significant prison time if convicted. The child's mother has already received a nearly four-year sentence for similar charges stemming from the incident.
