Newport News, Virginia — A former Virginia elementary school assistant principal is scheduled to stand trial Monday on criminal charges tied to the 2023 shooting of first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner by a six-year-old student who brought a loaded handgun to school.
Ebony Parker faces eight felony child neglect charges, with prosecutors arguing she ignored repeated warnings from school staff that the child may have possessed a gun before the shooting occurred at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Each charge carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison.
According to court records and prior testimony, multiple staff members reportedly alerted Parker about concerns involving the student and the possibility that he had a firearm in his backpack. Prosecutors allege Parker failed to take sufficient action before the child later shot Zwerner in her classroom.
The case drew national attention because criminal charges against school administrators following school shootings are relatively uncommon. The shooting intensified debate over school safety procedures, accountability, and how a child so young gained access to a firearm.
Last year, a civil jury awarded Zwerner $10 million after concluding Parker failed to adequately respond to warnings that could have prevented the attack. Zwerner suffered severe injuries, underwent multiple surgeries, and still reportedly lacks full use of one hand after the shooting.
The student’s mother previously pleaded guilty to child neglect and federal weapons charges and was sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
Zwerner is expected to testify during the criminal proceedings.
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