In 2023, a shocking school shooting occurred at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, when a 6-year-old student opened fire on a teacher in the classroom, leaving the educator severely injured. This week, the victim, Abby Zwerner, has filed a $40 million civil lawsuit (approximately NT$1.32 billion) against the school district, with the case officially going to trial.
According to AP and ABC News, Zwerner alleges that Assistant Principal Ebony Parker received multiple warnings hours before the incident that the student had brought a gun to school, but failed to take action and refused to allow a search of the student’s backpack.
Amy Kovac, who testified in court, said that on the day of the shooting, two students reported that the 6-year-old, identified as “JT,” had a gun in his backpack. When she approached him, she was denied access and immediately reported the matter to Parker. Later, Zwerner texted Kovac, saying she saw JT put something from his backpack into his pocket. Despite checking the backpack, no weapon was found at that time.
Kovac recalled in court, “I thought the assistant principal was handling it… until nothing happened.” Near the end of the school day, shots rang out in Zwerner’s classroom. Kovac rushed in to find students screaming in terror and Zwerner bleeding from her leg. She immediately restrained the student and called 911.
Zwerner tearfully recounted in court that she was sitting at a reading table when she was shot in the chest and left hand. “I thought I was dying, that I had passed away, and that I might be on my way to heaven. Then everything went black, and I realized I was still alive,” she said.
The shooting required Zwerner to undergo six surgeries, and she still cannot fully use her left hand. A bullet remains lodged just a few centimeters from her heart. She explained that even simple tasks, like opening a bag of chips or a bottle of water, are now extremely difficult.
The court noted that the tragedy occurred on the student’s first day back at school following a suspension. Two days earlier, he had been suspended for damaging a teacher’s phone. Zwerner claims that Parker’s failure to supervise adequately led to the incident and is seeking $40 million in damages. Parker’s attorney argued that decisions in public schools are collective, and she could not have foreseen the event. Nevertheless, the court ruled Parker as the sole defendant, dismissing claims against the principal and school district superintendent.
Zwerner has since resigned and obtained a cosmetology license, but her injuries prevent her from fully working. She also suffers from pain in her right hand due to overcompensation, making daily life challenging.
In addition to the civil case, Parker will face a criminal trial next month, charged with eight felony counts of child neglect, each carrying up to five years in prison if convicted. Authorities reported that the student’s mother was sentenced to nearly four years for child neglect and illegal firearm possession. Investigators revealed that the 6-year-old had retrieved the gun from his mother’s purse by climbing a drawer before bringing it to school.
