Judge dismisses all child neglect counts against Newport News assistant principal Ebony Parker
Judge Rebecca Robinson ended the criminal case after prosecutors alleged Ebony Parker ignored warnings that a 6-year-old brought a gun to school.
- On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson dismissed all 8 charges against former Richneck Elementary assistant principal Ebony Parker, ending the trial tied to the January 2023 shooting that injured teacher Abby Zwerner.
- Prosecutors alleged Parker failed to follow safety procedures or initiate a search after multiple warnings that a 6-year-old student had brought a firearm to school, accusing her of a "willful act or omission" showing reckless disregard for human life.
- Stating "The court is of the legal opinion that this is not a crime," Judge Robinson struck the counts, concluding a trial that featured testimony from school staff, parents, and officials regarding response protocols.
- Zwerner's attorneys noted the ruling removes an argument used by the City of Newport News regarding insurance coverage, while they continue pursuing the $10 million civil verdict awarded against Newport News Public Schools in November 2025.
- Parker's trial joins similar cases in Michigan and Georgia where parents faced convictions for juvenile shootings, while law enforcement officers accused of inaction in Parkland and Uvalde were acquitted by juries.
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Virginia Judge Throws Out Criminal Case Against Former School Administrator in Teacher Shooting Incident
The dismissal ends criminal proceedings against a former assistant principal accused of failing to act before a 6-year-old student shot a first-grade teacher at a ... The post Virginia Judge Throws Out Criminal Case Against Former School Administrator in Teacher Shooting Incident first appeared on [your]NEWS.
A Virginia circuit court judge on Thursday dismissed criminal charges against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal accused of ignoring warnings that a 6-year-old boy was carrying a gun, after…
Virginia judge clears ex-assistant principal of all charges in case tied to 6-year-old's classroom shooting
A Newport News court found that Ebony Parker's inaction ahead of a student shooting his teacher fell outside the boundaries of criminal liability under Virginia law
Virginia judge drops case against school official accused of ignoring warnings before 6-year-old shot teacher
Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal charged in the 2023 Richneck Elementary shooting, had all eight felony counts dismissed by a Virginia judge.
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