US teacher shot by six-year-old student awarded $10m by jury

November 6, 2025

A Virginia jury awarded former teacher Abigail Zwerner $10 million in damages after determining that assistant principal Ebony Parker acted with gross negligence when a six-year-old student shot Zwerner in her classroom two years ago. The jury found that Parker failed to respond appropriately despite receiving warnings approximately 45 minutes before the shooting that the child might have brought a firearm to Richneck Elementary School. Zwerner suffered severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries when a bullet passed through her hand and into her chest during the 2023 incident.

Who is affected

Abigail Zwerner (former teacher who was shot)
Ebony Parker (former assistant principal found liable)
The 6-year-old student who fired the gun
Other students in the first-grade class who witnessed the shooting
The student's mother (sentenced to prison)
Students and staff at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The civil trial has concluded with a verdict, and the criminal case against Ms Parker is described as future action rather than currently ongoing.

Why it matters

This case establishes legal accountability for school administrators who fail to act on credible warnings about potential violence, demonstrating that gross negligence in responding to safety threats can result in significant civil liability. The substantial $10 million award underscores the severity of ignoring direct warnings about weapons on school premises and sends a message about the duty of care owed to teachers and students. The incident also highlights the critical importance of immediate action when threats to school safety are reported, particularly given that the shooting could potentially have been prevented with appropriate intervention during the 45-minute window before it occurred.

What's next

A criminal trial will follow the civil trial, where Ms Parker faces eight counts of felony child neglect
If convicted, Ms Parker faces up to five years in prison for each count

Read full article from source: BBC