Former Virginia assistant principal on trial after allegedly ignoring warnings before 6-year-old shot teacher

A erstwhile Virginia adjunct main is connected proceedings connected felony kid neglect charges aft prosecutors accidental she ignored warnings that a 6-year-old pupil had a loaded weapon earlier the kid changeable his teacher successful 2023.

Jury enactment began Monday successful Newport News successful the proceedings of Ebony Parker, the erstwhile adjunct main astatine Richneck Elementary School. Parker, who has pleaded not guilty, faces 8 felony kid neglect charges tied to the shooting of first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner, according to The Associated Press.

Prosecutors allege respective schoolhouse employees warned Parker that the pupil mightiness person a gun, but she failed to instrumentality enactment earlier the shooting happened, the outlet reported.

Parker’s defence has argued she is being unfairly blamed for broader failures that preceded the shooting.

ATTORNEY SAYS VIRGINIA SCHOOL MISSED WARNINGS BEFORE 6-YEAR-OLD SHOT TEACHER

Former Richneck Elementary School adjunct main Ebony Parker looks backmost successful the courtroom during Abby Zwerner's suit successful Newport News, Virginia, connected Oct. 28, 2025. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)

Prosecutors brought 1 number for each of the 8 bullets loaded successful the gun. If convicted, Parker could look up to 5 years successful situation for each count, AP reported.

The shooting happened connected Jan. 6, 2023, erstwhile authorities said the 6-year-old pupil changeable Zwerner portion she was teaching. 

She was hospitalized for astir 2 weeks and underwent six surgeries aft the slug narrowly missed her heart. She inactive has constricted usage of her near hand, according to the AP.

TEACHER SHOT BY 6-YEAR-OLD TELLS JURORS SHE NEVER PULLED CHILD FROM CLASS AS DEFENSE EXPERTS BACK OFFICIALS

Former Richneck Elementary School teacher Abby Zwerner looks backmost successful the courtroom during her civilian suit proceedings successful Newport News, Virginia, connected Oct. 28, 2025. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)

In November 2025, a assemblage awarded Zwerner $10 cardinal successful a civilian suit against Parker, alleging the erstwhile head dismissed concerns that the pupil whitethorn person brought a weapon to school.

In a connection to Fox News Digital astatine the time, Zwerner’s ineligible squad said the verdict marked a "major measurement guardant successful Abby’s agelong roadworthy of healing."

During the earlier civilian trial, Parker’s attorneys argued the shooting was "unforeseeable" and maintained she did not person a ineligible work to support Zwerner from the attack.

KENTUCKY TO CONSIDER BILL THAT WOULD HOLD PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CHILDREN’S GUN CRIMES

Students instrumentality to Richneck Elementary School successful Newport News, Virginia, connected Jan. 30, 2023.  (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot)

Zwerner is expected to attest successful the transgression trial, AP reported.

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Authorities said the kid got the weapon from his mother’s purse aft climbing onto a dresser. The student’s parent was antecedently sentenced to astir 4 years successful prison. 

Fox News Digital's Julia Bonavita, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.