@meghannmcuniff: A Virginia elementary school teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student testified on Tuesday in her former assistant principal's criminal trial. Abigail Zwerner was teaching first grade at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News on Jan. 6 2023, when a boy shot her as she sat at her desk. The school's now-former assistant principal, Ebony Parker, is charged with eight counts of child abuse/neglect, one for each shot the student fired, with the alleged victims the children who were in the classroom. Prosecutors say Parker failed to act despite reports the student, who's identified in court as JT, had a gun.Prosecutor Josh Jenkins told jurors in his opening statement that only Parker had the knowledge and authority to act. In cross-exam, Parker's lawyer Curtis Rogers questioned Zwerner about her own inaction.She said it "crossed my mind" that the student had a gun. "When I was told what I was told, it was possible," Zwerner testified. "So if he was armed, that presented a danger to your students, is that correct?" Rogers asked. "Yes," Zwerner answered. "Okay, so you took no action to separate JT from his other classmates. Is that correct?" Rogers asked. "Yes," Zwerner answered. "And so you allow him to go out to recess with the understanding that he may have had a gun. Is that correct?" Rogers asked. "Yes," Zwerner answered. "You could have refused to let him to go to recess. You could have removed him from the presence of his other classmates. Is that correct?" Rogers asked. "In hindsight, yes, I could have," Zwerner answered. "And then then you allow him to return to your classroom with other students. Is that correct?" Rogers asked. "Yes," Zwerner answered. "Okay. Nothing prevented you from excluding him from classroom. Is that correct?" Rogers asked. "Yes," Zwerner answered. "Okay. And nothing prevented you from actually taking JT out of the classroom and taking him down to the administrative office. Is that correct?" Rogers asked. "Yes," Zwerner answered. You can watch more trial testimony on my YouTube channel. #law #crime #school #gunviolence
Meghann Cuniff
Region: US
Wednesday 20 May 2026 17:42:26 GMT
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Lee 🇨🇦 :
Why is she on trial???
2026-05-21 06:16:13
25
𝑳𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒚(𝗠ᵃᵐᵃ 𝗟ᵒ𝗟ᵒ)🥊 :
state laws are different. in the state of Virginia there is NO LAW that criminally holds school administrators accountable for the actions of students. and yes the teacher had time to separate that weapon from that 6 year old child if she believed he had a weapon.
as a parent, I would have wanted her to get my child out that classroom.
now the city was held responsible in the civil case that occurred earlier. she was granted a 10 million dollar lawsuit.
Policies need to be changed within the school system.. but people also need to use common sense
the case was dis.isse because if Virginia want to make a law that holds teachers.. administrators.. and anyone else to be held responsible in a criminal act for the actions of students, they need to make a law for it.
THAT IS WHY IT WAS DISMISSED.
the lawyers should have never brought it to to trial.
2026-06-01 21:20:47
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jrenee.robin :
The principal or assistant principal contacts police according to NNPS policy. They are the point of contact.
2026-06-08 14:09:03
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Sweet Donk :
Lawyers are the best at blame shifting.
2026-05-21 12:56:35
15
Lindsey Beth 🏒 :
They blaming her??
2026-05-20 18:25:01
162
Alex🩵 :
The teachers followed the protocol put in place by administration and administration chose NOT TO ACT.
2026-05-20 22:27:42
112
BlackInknRoses :
How is this NOT a valid question. Admin all the way down have an obligation to keep children safe, even from other children. If I did not get a response I would be looking into backpacks myself and calling PD myself if need be. No way I am waiting to find out.
2026-05-20 22:05:09
34
Stacieb :
Administrations fault…not the teachers fault.
2026-05-20 21:03:43
94
debbiedrussell :
I can’t listen to this nonsense
2026-05-20 19:36:08
71
Bearie4 :
Defense attorney is doing his job. This doesnt make the teacher look great.
2026-05-20 20:33:30
42
toribrown470 :
Teachers have to make a gazillion decisions quickly all day! Not teacher’s fault!
2026-05-21 01:14:25
12
Shepherd’s Chapel Lectures :
Wasn’t the teacher new, like just a fews new to the school? I think that can make you hesitant in a difficult situation, she was in a new environments
2026-05-20 19:38:25
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!!Dead_body_man!! :
Are you fucking serious?!?! This is infuckingsane!
2026-05-21 00:35:17
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Morning Java Mom☕️😎 :
Just watched. The judge dismissed the case. So no accountability by that administration.
2026-05-21 17:51:06
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V. Morie :
We can’t do literally anything without irrefutable proof.
2026-05-21 05:05:01
1
Fitnessbabe🖤 :
I’m sorry but a 6 year old??
2026-05-21 08:56:26
0
TikTash :
This is so our time, blame everyone but the person responsible.
2026-05-21 10:16:41
0
Terrence Austin :
🌹
2026-05-21 02:48:10
0
unfortunately I can't disclose :
As a teacher. 911 is the correct option if you believe someone brought a gun into a school. She is in the wrong for not acting. The kids parents are in the wrong for not know thier kid had a firearm. And the schools admin is worng for not acting. This situation shows what happens when people fail to act and just go with the flow and not question what's happening with thier own safety. Dose not matter if my boss tells me somthing. If I thought it was a bad call I would do what I must and deal with the consequences later.
2026-05-21 00:00:30
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meadow1201 :
I actually think she deserves some blame. She thought he had a gun but just ignored it because the principal said so.
2026-05-21 06:08:55
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Robb Winter :
Wtf. If I KNOW a kid has a gun I'm getting everyone THE FK OUT IMMEDIATELY!!! Is this thread even serious? Wtf is wrong with yall??? She knew and did NOTHING!!!! This is some fkn stupid shit. Do something!
2026-05-21 11:47:48
3
blake.sgm369 :
How does the 6 year old have a gun
2026-05-21 01:02:31
3
Abby :
As a teacher, I would have taken the child's backpack and hoodie as soon as I heard there's a potential weapon. Even if she wasn't allowed to physically search the child, she could have taken his stuff and put it somewhere secure. With all this being said, I don't blame her. I blame the AP for prioritizing state testing over safety. Teachers are being asked to do too much with very little preparation or pay
2026-05-21 18:22:47
1
Ms Piggy 🐽 :
Coming from the Netherlands, I really don't know what I'm hearing! A six-yo brings a gun to school (!) and the teacher doesn't act to it?!?! 😳
2026-05-21 05:14:27
2
karijo :
A jury awarded her \(\$10\) million in damages after finding the former assistant principal, Ebony Parker, grossly negligent for ignoring multiple warnings that the 6-year-old student had a gun.
2026-05-21 23:54:12
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