Teacher Abby Zwerner Awarded $10M in Lawsuit Against School Administrator
A Virginia jury has delivered a verdict in a civil lawsuit filed by Abigail Zwerner, a first-grade teacher, who was shot by a 6-year-old student. The jury found the former vice principal of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, liable for $10 million in damages related to the incident that occurred nearly three years ago.
Details of the Case
Abigail Zwerner sued Ebony Parker, the former elementary school administrator, accusing her of gross negligence. Zwerner claimed Parker ignored multiple warnings that the student had a gun and was exhibiting alarming behavior on the day of the January 2023 shooting.
Jury Decision and Reactions
After more than five hours of deliberation over two days, the seven-member jury ruled in favor of Zwerner, who had originally sought $40 million. During the verdict reading, Parker remained stoic and expressionless, while Zwerner appeared emotional but composed.
"This verdict is a major step forward in Abby’s long road of healing," said Zwerner's legal team in a joint statement. "It confirms what we’ve said from the beginning — what happened inside Richneck Elementary was wrong and will never be tolerated."
Legal Team Statement
- Lawyers Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan, and Jeffrey Breit praised the outcome.
- They emphasized the verdict supports Zwerner's healing process from the traumatic event.
- The statement highlighted the school’s failure to protect its students and staff.
This case marks a significant acknowledgment of negligence in school safety protocols affecting both educators and students.
Summary: The $10 million verdict against the former school administrator reinforces accountability for school safety failures and supports Abigail Zwerner’s recovery from the serious 2023 classroom shooting.