Virginia Teacher Shot by First Grader Wins $10 Million Civil Trial
Abby Zwerner, a 25-year-old former first grade teacher in Virginia, was seriously injured by a 6-year-old student who shot her in January 2023. The incident occurred at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia.
Details of the Shooting
While sitting at a reading table in her classroom, Zwerner was shot in the hand and chest by a single bullet. She underwent six surgeries and spent nearly two weeks hospitalized. The bullet narrowly missed her heart and remains lodged there. Due to her injuries, she no longer has full use of her left hand and has since left the teaching profession.
Civil Lawsuit and Trial Outcome
Zwerner filed a civil lawsuit seeking $40 million in compensatory damages. The suit accused former assistant principal Ebony Parker of gross negligence, alleging she ignored multiple warnings on the day of the shooting.
- Zwerner reported to Parker that the boy "was in a violent mood" and had threatened to assault another student.
- The lawsuit states Parker "had no response" to these concerns.
- Shortly after, two students informed a reading specialist that the boy had a gun in his backpack.
- Zwerner told the specialist she had seen the boy take something from his bag and hide it in his sweatshirt.
- The reading specialist searched the backpack but found no weapon.
Verdict
The jury awarded Abby Zwerner $10 million in damages, partly holding the school administrator responsible for failing to act on warnings prior to the shooting.
This case highlights inadequate responses to safety threats in schools and the severe consequences they can have on educators.
Author's Summary
Abby Zwerner, shot by a first grader in 2023, won $10 million after a court found school officials negligent despite multiple warnings about the student’s violent behavior.
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