VA v. Ebony Parker
On January 6, 2023, first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. Zwerner subsequently filed a $40 million civil lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, alleging gross negligence for ignoring multiple warnings about the student having a gun. In November 2025, a jury awarded Zwerner $10 million, finding Parker grossly negligent. Motions by Parker's attorneys to overturn this verdict were denied in January 2026. Ebony Parker also faces eight criminal charges of felony child neglect, with her criminal trial scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026.
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Track this story2026
1 update
2026
1 updateEbony 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.
via courttv.com
2025
7 updates
2025
7 updatesLaura 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.
via youtube.com
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.
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.
via 13newsnow.com
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.
via courttv.com
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.
via capitalbnews.org
During the civil trial, a defense witness, school safety expert Dr. Amy Klinger, testifies that Ebony Parker did not breach professional standards.
The civil trial for Abby Zwerner v. Ebony Parker begins in Virginia.
2024
2 updates
2024
2 updatesA judge dismisses the school district's superintendent and the school principal as defendants from the civil lawsuit, leaving Ebony Parker as the sole defendant.
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.
via cbsnews.com
2023
1 update
2023
1 updateAbby Zwerner files a $40 million civil lawsuit against the Newport News School Board and several administrators, including Assistant Principal Ebony Parker, alleging gross negligence.
Story began · 3 years, 2 mo ago