Ebony Parker shooting case

Developing StoryLast updated APR 25
SUMMARY

Former assistant principal Ebony Parker was found liable for negligence in the shooting of teacher Abby Zwerner, resulting in a $10 million jury award to Zwerner on November 13, 2025, in Virginia. As of April 24, 2026: Parker faces eight felony child neglect counts, with her criminal trial scheduled for May 18-21, 2026, and a judge ruled on April 18, 2026, that she must answer most questions regarding the shooting. Parker's attorneys are also requesting a judge to overturn the $10 million civil verdict, arguing the case should be governed by Virginia's Workers' Compensation Act. Students who witnessed the shooting are also filing a lawsuit against Parker.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. A pre-trial hearing on April 24, 2026, for Ebony Parker's criminal trial allowed a former teacher, S…

    A pre-trial hearing on April 24, 2026, for Ebony Parker's criminal trial allowed a former teacher, Susan White, to testify and permitted cameras in the courtroom under strict limitations. Parker faces eight felony child neglect counts, with her trial scheduled to commence on May 18, 2026.

  2. A judge ruled that Ebony Parker cannot claim a blanket Fifth Amendment privilege for all questions c…

    A judge ruled that Ebony Parker cannot claim a blanket Fifth Amendment privilege for all questions concerning the shooting of Abigail Zwerner, though privilege was granted for questions about Parker's training. This ruling compels Parker to answer other questions about the day of the shooting. The ruling came after Zwerner's legal team sought to compel Parker's testimony.

January 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal found negligent in a teacher's shooting, is requesting a judge to overturn the jury's verdict.

    Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal found negligent in a teacher's shooting, is requesting a judge to overturn the jury's verdict. Parker's attorneys argue that Virginia's Workers' Compensation Act should have governed the case, exempting her from the lawsuit. They also contend that no duty was owed to the plaintiff.

December 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Laura Owens appeared in court on December 2, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to charges related to faking pregnancies to obtain child support.

    Laura Owens appeared in court on December 2, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to charges related to faking pregnancies to obtain child support. Her attorney's motion to withdraw was granted, and she was appointed new legal representation.

November 2025 — 5 developments

  1. A jury awarded $10 million to Abby Zwerner in her civil lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker.

    A jury awarded $10 million to Abby Zwerner in her civil lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker. Parker's criminal trial on eight counts of felony child neglect has been postponed from November 17, 2025, to May 18-21, 2026.

  2. The criminal trial for former Richneck Elementary assistant principal Ebony Parker has been postponed.

    The criminal trial for former Richneck Elementary assistant principal Ebony Parker has been postponed. Parker faces eight felony counts of child neglect. The trial, initially scheduled for jury selection on November 17th, is now slated for May 2026.

  3. Students who witnessed the shooting of teacher Abby Zwerner are now filing their own lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker.

    Students who witnessed the shooting of teacher Abby Zwerner are now filing their own lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker. This action follows a $10 million verdict against Parker, who was found liable for ignoring multiple warnings about the student possessing a weapon.

  4. Former assistant principal Ebony Parker faces up to four years in prison if convicted on eight felony counts of child abuse.

    Former assistant principal Ebony Parker faces up to four years in prison if convicted on eight felony counts of child abuse. Her criminal trial is expected to commence in November 2025.

  5. During the civil trial, a defense witness, school safety expert Dr.

    During the civil trial, a defense witness, school safety expert Dr. Amy Klinger, testifies that Ebony Parker did not breach professional standards.

October 2025 — 1 developments

June 2024 — 1 developments

  1. A judge dismisses the school district's superintendent and the school principal as defendants from the civil lawsuit, leaving Ebony Parker as the sole defendant.

    A judge dismisses the school district's superintendent and the school principal as defendants from the civil lawsuit, leaving Ebony Parker as the sole defendant.

April 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Ebony Parker has been indicted on eight felony counts of child neglect.

    Ebony Parker has been indicted on eight felony counts of child neglect. A special grand jury found that Parker showed "reckless disregard for the human life" of students in connection with the shooting of a teacher at Richneck Elementary School.

March 2023 — 1 developments

  1. Abby Zwerner files a $40 million civil lawsuit against the Newport News School Board and several adm…

    Abby Zwerner files a $40 million civil lawsuit against the Newport News School Board and several administrators, including Assistant Principal Ebony Parker, alleging gross negligence.