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‘I thought I was dying’ - teacher shot by 6-year-old student testifies against school administrator

October 30, 2025

A civil trial is underway in Virginia where former teacher Abigail Zwerner is suing ex-assistant principal Ebony Parker for $40 million after being shot by a six-year-old student in January 2023. Zwerner alleges that Parker ignored multiple warnings about the child potentially having a weapon at school approximately 45 minutes before the shooting occurred. The bullet caused severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries, and Zwerner continues to experience both physical limitations and emotional trauma from the incident.

Who is affected

  • Abigail Zwerner (the former teacher who was shot)
  • The 6-year-old student who fired the weapon
  • Ebony Parker (the former assistant principal facing the lawsuit and criminal charges)
  • The student's mother (sentenced to prison)
  • Zwerner's family members (mother and sister)
  • Other students at Richneck Elementary School
  • Staff members at the school who responded to the shooting

What action is being taken

  • A civil trial is currently proceeding with testimony being heard
  • Abigail Zwerner is testifying about the shooting and its aftermath
  • Zwerner's legal team is presenting evidence of warnings allegedly given to Ms. Parker
  • Ms. Parker's attorney is defending against the lawsuit

Why it matters

  • This case raises critical questions about school administrator accountability and the responsibility to act on safety warnings in educational settings. The outcome could establish legal precedent for when and how school officials must respond to reports of potential threats, particularly involving very young students. The case highlights the lasting physical and psychological trauma experienced by educators who face violence in schools, as well as broader concerns about school safety protocols and prevention measures.

What's next

  • A criminal case will follow the civil trial
  • Ms. Parker faces eight counts of felony child neglect, each punishable by up to five years in prison
  • The jury will need to determine whether the shooting was reasonably foreseeable and whether Parker exercised appropriate care

Read full article from source: BBC