Abby Zwerner’s $40M Lawsuit Over Shooting by First-Grader
A jury is set to hear closing arguments in a $40 million civil negligence case filed by Abigail Zwerner, a former first-grade teacher shot by a 6-year-old student in Newport News, Virginia.
Case Background
Zwerner, who still carries a bullet lodged in her chest, claims that her former vice principal, Ebony Parker, failed to act on repeated warnings that the troubled boy had brought his mother’s handgun to class.
"I believed I 'died' and was on my way 'to heaven,'" Zwerner recounted about being shot in the hand and chest in her classroom in January.
Trial Details
- The trial began on October 28 and lasted four days.
- Zwerner’s legal team called 16 witnesses, including school staff, law enforcement, medical experts, and family members.
- Park’s defense called two witnesses: a medical expert and a school safety expert, who testified that Parker’s response met standards.
- Ebony Parker faces child neglect charges related to the shooting but did not testify in her defense.
- Jury deliberations were expected to begin Wednesday afternoon.
Central Issue
The lawsuit focuses on who should have been responsible for investigating claims that the first grader had a gun.
Author’s summary: The $40 million suit centers on accountability for inaction amid warnings about a first grader with a gun, highlighting serious lapses in school safety and oversight.