Key Highlights
- A former assistant principal faces a $40 million civil lawsuit for allegedly ignoring warnings before a 6-year-old opened fire in his classroom.
- The expert witness testified that the former assistant principal failed to confiscate the backpack, secure and search the student, and contact law enforcement as required.
- Abigail Zwerner, the first-grade teacher injured by the gunshot wound, is expected to rest her case on Thursday.
The Legal Battle: A Former Assistant Principal Faces $40 Million Civil Lawsuit Over School Shooting Incident
A former assistant principal in Virginia has been thrust into a $40 million civil lawsuit after a 6-year-old student opened fire in his classroom, severely injuring first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner on January 6, 2023. The case is currently being heard in a court over the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident.
Expert Testimony and Past Warnings
According to expert testimony provided by Ann Shufflebarger, an education administration specialist called by Zwerner’s attorneys, the former assistant principal Ebony Parker received multiple alerts about a student carrying a gun. Ms. Shufflebarger emphasized that these warnings presented Parker with additional opportunities for ensuring the safety of students and teachers.
“There are many things that needed to be done, and none of those were done at that time,” Ms. Shufflebarger testified, highlighting Parker’s failure to take appropriate actions such as confiscating the backpack, securing it, searching the student, and contacting law enforcement.
Timeline and Opening Statements
The legal proceedings began with opening statements delivered by attorneys representing both Zwerner and Parker on October 28, 2025. The bodycam video of the incident was released to the public on Wednesday, showing law enforcement officers entering Richneck Elementary School in Newport News to treat Zwerner.
During the trial, another teacher testified that she had relayed concerns about a student with a gun to Parker three times after students reported it. A doctor also compared the gunshot wound suffered by Zwerner to a war injury and stated that attempting to remove the bullet would be more dangerous than leaving it in place.
Future Implications and Legal Proceedings
The civil trial is expected to continue as Zwerner’s attorneys prepare to rest their case on Thursday. Meanwhile, Parker was indicted last year on multiple counts of felony child abuse and neglect due to her lack of response being deemed “shocking” by a grand jury.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. While the outcome of this civil trial remains uncertain, it highlights the critical importance of proper safety protocols in educational institutions and the potential financial and legal consequences for those responsible when such protocols are not followed.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and prompt action to prevent tragic incidents from occurring in schools. As the trial progresses, further details may emerge that could significantly impact both Parker’s future and the broader discourse on school safety measures.
