Abby Zwerner: Teacher shot by six-year-old student awarded $10 million after dramatic trial

Abby Zwerner Awarded $10 Million After Being Shot by Six-Year-Old Student

A Virginia jury has granted $10 million in compensation to former teacher Abby Zwerner, who was injured after being shot by a six-year-old student in 2023. The trial took place in Washington, D.C., marking the conclusion of one of the most shocking school shooting cases in recent memory.

The Incident

At the time of the shooting, Zwerner, aged 28, was teaching first grade at an elementary school in Newport News, Virginia. The event occurred in January 2023, leaving her with serious injuries to her hand and chest after being hit by a single bullet. She spent two weeks in the hospital recovering from her wounds.

Lawsuit and Trial

Zwerner filed a lawsuit against assistant principal Ebony Parker, accusing her of ignoring multiple warnings that the child had brought a firearm to school. She originally demanded $40 million, alleging gross negligence on the part of the school administration.

“I thought I had died.” — Abby Zwerner, during her testimony.

The jury ultimately ruled in Zwerner’s favor, awarding her $10 million in damages. The verdict followed her emotional testimony in which she described the pain and trauma she endured.

Related Legal Outcomes

The child’s mother was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of child neglect and firearm-related charges. Authorities did not file charges against the six-year-old student himself.

Context

While incidents involving young children gaining access to unsecured firearms are unfortunately frequent in the United States, school shootings involving children younger than ten years old remain exceedingly rare.

Author’s summary: Abby Zwerner received $10 million in damages after being gravely injured by a first-grader, exposing severe negligence and rare tragedy within school safety systems.

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TAG24 TAG24 — 2025-11-06

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