The Virginia teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student in 2023, Abby Zwerner, has been awarded $10 million in damages by a jury.
The civil trial in the case offered a preview of the criminal complaint that is expected to come against the school administrator for allegedly ignoring warning signs about the student having a firearm.
Jury Awards Teacher $10 Million in Damages
Zwerner, who is now a former teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, filed a lawsuit against ex-assistant principal Ebony Parker. She alleged that Parker failed to act appropriately regarding concerns that the then-six-year-old student brought a gun to school in January 2023.
The former teacher was shot in the chest and hand while sitting at a reading table inside her classroom. In a statement, one of Zwerner's lawyers, Diane Toscano, said the jury's verdict found the incident was wrong and will not be tolerated, according to CNN.
Toscano added that safety has to be a priority for everyone, particularly school administrators. She added that they have to acknowledge within the civil justice system that accountability comes from anyone who has "contributed ot the ultimate outcome" of a particular case.
Attorneys for both Zwerner and Parker are set to convene again on Friday morning for post-trial motions. The former assistant is given the right to appeal the verdict after the court enters a final judgment in the case.
After the decision was announced, Zwerner did not address reporters outside of the court. She had originally sought $40 million in damages against Parker. Prior to the verdict, Toscano argued that it was Parker's job to believe that the idea of a six-year-old would bring a gun to school and investigate to ensure everyone's safety, Aljazeera reported.
Being Shot by a 6-Year-Old Student
On the other hand, the mother of the student who shot Zwerner had been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of child neglect and firearms charges. However, no charges were brought against the child, who told officials that he was able to get his mother's handgun by climbing onto a drawer to reach the top of a dresser.
The incident sent a ripple through the local community, causing many to wonder how such a young child could get access to a firearm and even shoot his teacher. Now, Parker is also facing a separate criminal trial on eight counts of felony child neglect.
Each count against him is punishable by up to five years in prison if he is convicted, according to NPR.
Originally published on parentherald.com
