Virginia Judge Dismisses Charges Against Ex-Assistant Principal in 6-Year-Old's Classroom Shooting
A Virginia judge has cleared former assistant principal Ebony Parker of all charges related to a 2023 classroom shooting in Newport News, where a 6-year-old student shot his teacher. The court ruled that Parker's inaction did not meet the threshold for criminal liability under state law. The case stemmed from the January 6, 2023, incident at Richneck Elementary School, where the student used his mother's gun to shoot teacher Abigail Zwerner. Parker faced charges of child abuse and neglect for failing to act on warnings about the child's behavior. The dismissal marks a legal conclusion for Parker, while the school system and community continue to grapple with the aftermath.
Key facts
- Ebony Parker was cleared of all charges by a Newport News court.
- The charges were related to a classroom shooting by a 6-year-old student.
- The shooting occurred on January 6, 2023, at Richneck Elementary School.
- The student shot teacher Abigail Zwerner.
- Parker was the assistant principal at the time.
- The court found her inaction fell outside criminal liability under Virginia law.
- Parker faced charges of child abuse and neglect.
- The case involved warnings about the child's behavior that were not acted upon.
Entities
Institutions
- Richneck Elementary School
- Newport News court
Locations
- Newport News
- Virginia
Sources
- Quartz —