Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Student Testifies in Lawsuit, Details Injuries and Negligence Claims
Former Virginia teacher Abby Zwerner testified in her $40 million lawsuit after being shot by a 6-year-old student, detailing severe injuries and alleging negligence by a former assistant principal.
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Overview
- Abby Zwerner, a former first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, was shot by a 6-year-old student in January 2023.
- Zwerner testified in her $40 million lawsuit that she underwent six surgeries, lost full use of her left hand, and believed she had died after the shooting.
- She managed to evacuate her students despite her injuries and no longer works for the school district, with no plans to teach again.
- The lawsuit targets former assistant principal Ebony Parker, accusing her of ignoring multiple warnings about the student bringing a gun to school.
- Parker faces a separate criminal trial next month on eight counts of felony child neglect related to the incident, while Zwerner has transitioned to cosmetology despite ongoing challenges from her injuries.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the teacher's testimony and legal proceedings. They present the details of the lawsuit against the former assistant principal and the student's mother's conviction without injecting editorial bias or loaded language, adhering to a straightforward journalistic approach.
"The shooting sent shock waves through the military shipbuilding community and the country, with many wondering how a child so young could access a gun and shoot his teacher."
CBS News"Zwerner was shot in the hand and chest in January 2023 as she sat at a reading table in her first-grade classroom at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News."
ABC NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
Abby Zwerner sustained severe injuries requiring six surgeries, including the loss of full use of her left hand after being shot by a 6-year-old student.
Abby Zwerner alleges negligence against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, accusing her of ignoring multiple warnings about the student bringing a gun to school.
Ebony Parker faces a separate criminal trial on eight counts of felony child neglect related to the shooting incident.
Due to ongoing challenges from her injuries, Abby Zwerner no longer works for the school district and has no plans to return to teaching, instead transitioning to cosmetology.
Despite her severe injuries and believing she might die, Abby Zwerner managed to evacuate her students from the classroom safely.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.