Former school official on trial for student shooting of teacher

by · UPI

May 18 (UPI) -- A former assistant principal is on trial Monday for child abuse and neglect three years after a 6-year-old student shot a teacher in the hand and chest.

Ebony Parker faces eight counts of felony child abuse and disregard for life for allegedly ignoring concerns that a student brought a weapon Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va., in January 2023. The student shot their teacher, Abigail Zwerner, who survived.

Zwerner was awarded $10 million last year when a jury found Parker liable for the shooting.

The eight charges against Parker coincide with each bullet fired by the student. The prosecution alleges that Parker's inaction in January 2023 was "a willful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life."

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The grand jury's report on the case says Parker failed to protect children in the classroom that day, all ages 6 and 7.

Parker has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.

Two weeks after the shooting, Parker resigned. She is one of several school officials who resigned or lost their jobs.

Parker did not testify in last year's civil trial over her liability for the shooting. Zwerner said Parker ignored at least three warnings that the student had a gun, including a warning from another staff member, and did not act.

Deja Taylor, the mother of the student, pleaded guilty to one state charge of felony child neglect in 2023 and was sentenced to two years in prison. She was released earlier this month and is on community supervision.

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