School official did nothing after being told about a 6-year-old student with a gun, prosecutor says
Prosecutors say Ebony Parker ignored repeated warnings about a student’s gun, and a jury has already awarded teacher Abby Zwerner $10 million.
- On Tuesday, prosecutors opened the trial against former assistant principal Ebony Parker in Newport News, Virginia, as she faces eight felony child neglect counts stemming from the January 2023 Richneck Elementary School shooting that wounded teacher Abby Zwerner.
- Special prosecutor Josh Jenkins argued Parker ignored repeated warnings from staff that a 6-year-old student possessed a gun, allegedly telling employees the child's mother would arrive soon while refusing requests to search the student.
- Zwerner testified she observed the student in a 'violent' mood during recess, wearing an oversized jacket with both hands in his pockets, and sent a text message describing this observation to a reading specialist.
- The student's mother was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for neglect, while a jury awarded Zwerner $10 million in a civil trial last November; criminal charges against school officials remain rare.
- Defense attorney Curtis Rogers argued teachers could have separated the child from about 19 classmates if they suspected a weapon, claiming the prosecution must prove Parker's actions showed a 'reckless disregard for human life.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Virginia teacher shot by 6-year-old says boy showed ‘violent’ warning signs – assistant principal now on trial
Former Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner testified that a 6-year-old displayed troubling behavior before shooting her in class, during the trial of former assistant principal Ebony Parker.
Va. prosecutor says school official did nothing after being told about 6-year-old with gun
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Associated Press News
School official did nothing after being told about a 6-year-old student with a gun, prosecutor says
Opening statements have been given in the trial of a former assistant principal in Virginia who faces criminal charges from a 2023 school shooting.
Teacher Abby Zwerner details student’s chilling behavior before he shot her — as staffers testify principal was warned multiple times
Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner repeatedly warned her assistant principal about the first-grade student who shot her in her classroom in 2023, she testified at administrator's trial on Tuesday.
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