NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Scripps News Norfolk/Court TV) — A jury awarded $10 million to a Virginia teacher who was shot by an elementary student in her class.
Ebony Parker (L) and Abby Zwerner (R) react to the jury’s verdict in Zwerner’s civil lawsuit against Parker on Nov. 6, 2025. (Court TV)
The lawsuit, which had requested a total of $40 million, was filed by Abby Zwerner against former assistant principal Ebony Parker. Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old in her Richneck Elementary classroom on Jan. 6, 2023. A bullet went through Zwerner’s hand and into her chest. She suffered significant injuries, including a collapsed lung.
After more than five hours of deliberation, the jury found Parker liable, but for less money than Zwerner had initially sought. The judge will have to affirm the verdict before Parker will be asked to pay anything.
MORE | Mom pleads guilty after 6-year-old son used her gun to shoot teacher
In her lawsuit, Zwerner claimed that the student who shot her had a history of issues, including an incident when he allegedly strangled and choked a teacher. According to documents in the case, Parker had a reputation for ignoring teachers’ concerns and allowing students to get away with misconduct.
On the day of the shooting, Parker was accused of ignoring warnings about the student and refusing to grant permission for a guidance counselor to search the student for a firearm.
Separate from the criminal trial, Parker faces eight counts of felony child abuse in connection with the incident.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 6 – 11/6/25
- LIVESTREAM: Abigail Zwerner v. Ebony Parker, Day 6| 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial
- The jury found Ebony Parker liable and awarded Abby Zwerner $10 million.
DAY 5 – 11/5/25
- LIVESTREAM: Abigail Zwerner v. Ebony Parker, Day 5| 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial
- Kevin Biniazan delivered the closing arguments for the plaintiff, Abby Zwerner.
- WATCH: Plaintiff’s Closing: ‘It Was Dr. Ebony Parker’s Job to Investigate’ Threat
- Argued that Parker failed to act despite multiple warnings about a gun.
- Presented a timeline of the warnings.
- Parker repeatedly delayed action, wanting to hold off until the student’s mother arrived.
- Claimed Parker had a duty to investigate under school policy and failed to act for more than two hours while the gun was on campus.
- Requested $40 million in damages for physical injuries, psychological trauma, loss of career and ongoing suffering.
- Sandra Douglas delivered the closing arguments for the defendant, Dr. Ebony Parker
- WATCH: Defense Closing: ‘Dr. Ebony Parker Did Not Breach a Duty to Abby Zwerner’
- Argued the shooting was “unforeseeable, unthinkable and unprecedented” and nobody could have expected a 6-year-old would bring a gun to school.
- Dr. Parker was not grossly negligent and did not breach any duty to Ms. Zwerner.
- Pointed to the actions/inactions of other staff: Kovac didn’t follow proper protocols, Zwerner didn’t directly report concerns.
- A school safety expert testified Parker did not breach professional standards.
- Parker was dealing with another student issue when the incident occurred.
- Challenged the $40 million claim, noting that Zwerner became a licensed cosmetologist after the shooting.
- Kevin Binaizan delivered the rebuttal closing argument for Abby Zwerner.
- Argued Dr. Parker had the puzzle pieces, but failed to act appropriately.
- Claimed Parker was “sitting on her hands” while others tried to handle the situation.
- Criticized the defense for not having Parker testify.
- The jury began deliberations.
DAY 4 – 11/3/25
- LIVESTREAM: Abigail Zwerner v. Ebony Parker, Day 4 | 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial
- Abby Zwerner’s video deposition was played for the jury. The key question was, “Did you ever isolate [J.T.] from the class on January 6, 2023?” and her answer was “No.”
- Dr. Leigh Hagan, General and Forensic Psychologist
- Hagen never met Zwerner or Parker. She testified about professional standards for forensic mental health evaluations and said that professionals should consider all available information when making diagnoses for litigation.
- Emphasized responsibility to identify missing information and explain how its absence could impact conclusions.
- Dr. Amy Klinger, Co-Founder of Educator’s School Safety Network
- In Klinger’s professional opinion, Parker did not breach professional standards and was not indifferent on Jan. 6, 2023.
- School safety is a collaborative endeavor; no one person is solely responsible. Every school stakeholder has a critical role in safety.
- Plausibility, specificity of threat and context have to be taken into account; age is a major factor and it was unprecedented for a 6-year-old to have a weapon.
- Other staff reactions indicated low concern: Kovac did not call lockdown or security, Zwerner continued instruction with the student in class, Rawles didn’t remove the student or call security.
- Parker’s cautious approach was appropriate, and searching students should not be done lightly, especially body-searching a 6-year-old.
- Defense rested its case; the plaintiff said they had no rebuttal case to present.
- WATCH: Day 4 Trial Wrap
DAY 3 – 10/30/25
- LIVESTREAM: Abigail Zwerner v. Ebony Parker, Day 3 | 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial
- Dr. Clarence Watson, forensic psychiatrist
- Conducted evaluations of Zwerner in 2024 and 2025
- Diagnosed Zwerner with PTSD, as well as having a history of major depressive disorder and anxiety.
- Received grief counseling after her father died in 2020
- Zwerner believed she was dying, that someone was trying to kill her in response to the trauma
- Event had caused such distress that Zwerner was unable to return to a classroom setting
- Zwerner continues to have nightmares
- Abigail Zwerner, plaintiff
- MORE: ‘I thought I had died’: Abby Zwerner details being shot by 6-year-old
- Taught for approximately two and a half years; her first year teaching was a virtual hybrid year. She liked teaching, but found it was stressful a lot of the time.
- First heard that J.T. might have a gun before recess. Amy Kovac told her, and Kovac said she would report it to Dr. Parker.
- Much of her memory from that day is gone, but she remembers thinking she was going to die or that she had died already.
- Continues to suffer from injuries that make it difficult to accomplish simple tasks, such as opening bags of chips.
- She was unable to leave the house to see a movie with her mother and sister; she finds herself wanting to be isolated.
- Under cross-examination, Zwerner conceded that she had previously been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
- Confirmed previous incidents with J.T. in the classroom.
- The jury was shown messages Zwerner sent to Taylor Swift and Odesza after seeing their concerts.
- The plaintiff rested their case.
DAY 2 – 10/29/25
- LIVESTREAM: Abigail Zwerner v. Ebony Parker, Day 2 | 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial
- Newport News Police Detective Amber Ruhlen
- Played bodycam footage from the scene.
- Newport News Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Thomas Blythe
- First law enforcement officer to arrive at the school after the shooting.
- Had to bang on locked doors for approximately one minute until a janitor let them in.
- After entering, he saw a young child being restrained by a teacher; he was taken aback by how young the suspect was.
- Saw a weapon on the floor and called out, ‘gun,” then stood by it.
- Dr. Ann Shufflebarger testified as an education expert.
- Parker failed to take appropriate action as an assistant principal.
- Identified four separate occasions when people reported the weapon to Parker; each report was an opportunity to take safety action that wasn’t taken.
- Stopping others from taking action was inappropriate.
- Concluded Parker’s inaction breached expectations and the standard of care.
- Shufflebarger conceded under cross-examination that she had never experienced a first-grader bringing a loaded gun to school.
- Confirmed Parker had other disciplinary issues to handle that day and that assistant principals wear “a lot of hats” and can’t be everywhere.
- Virginia Beach schools “preferred” that a parent be present during student searches.
- Dr. Daniel Munn, chief of surgery at Riverside Regional Medical Center
- Provided care for Zwerner during her hospitalization.
- She suffered a gunshot wound that went through her ribs; the bullet passed very close to her heart (approx. 2 cm away from major heart artery)
- She had a lung collapse – a life-threatening injury that required a chest tube.
- Zwerner’s lung is now scarred to the chest wall, limiting future surgical options in the area.
- The bullet remains in her body and cannot be removed. As a result, she cannot get MRI scans for the rest of her life because of bullet fragments. That poses a concern for future medical needs, including breast cancer screening.
- Dr. Romney Andersen, Orthopedic trauma surgeon
- WATCH: 1st Grader Shoots Teacher: Surgeon Details Victim’s ‘Devastating’ Hand Injury
- Saw Zwerner in the ICU on Jan. 7, 2023; described her has having a “devastating hand injury” with significant fractures and soft tissue injuries.
- Had multiple surgeries, including stabilization using metal wires, a bone graft surgery and tendon repair.
- The injury was compared to a war injury.
- Nerve damage causing loss of sensation in the wrist, 75% laceration of the tendon extending to the fingers, and damage to the index finger’s independent pointing tendon.
- Zwerner’s hand will never be normal or match the other hand; it will never have the exact same range of motion.
- Risk of tendon ruptures in her 50s and 60s due to age
- Dr. James Stuart, Orthopedic surgeon
- Treating ongoing hand pain for Zwerner; attempted cortisone injection with temporary relief
- Recommended additional surgery involving a bone graft from the pelvic area.
- Zwerner completed cosmetology school in 2025.
- Doctor had to write retroactive work notes for the last two years at patient’s request; he had not been doing real-time work documentation during the treatment period.
- Hannah Zwerner, Abigail’s twin sister, took the stand.
- WATCH: Twin Sister: Abby Zwerner is ‘Really Afraid of Being Alone’ After Shooting
- Both sisters were teachers: Abby taught elementary school English, and Hannah taught high school English.
- Described her sister as timid, observant, watching but always present.
- Noted changes in her sister after the shooting: she’s not the person she was, she lost sense of direction, doesn’t want to go out anymore, more reclusive and doesn’t leave the house.
- On cross-examination, she conceded that she created a GoFundMe page with Abby’s picture and story, and that she has a website to sell t-shirts.
- She drained her bank account to take Abby to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Philadelphia; she described the concert experience as having challenges.
- WATCH: 1st Grader Shoots Teacher: Bodycam Footage From Shooting Response
DAY 1 – 10/28/25
- LIVESTREAM: Abigail Zwerner v. Ebony Parker, Day 1 | 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial
- Diane Toscano delivered the opening statement for Abby Zwerner.
- WATCH: 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial: Plaintiff Opening Statement
- Ebony Parker was the second-in-command at the school and received multiple warnings throughout the day.
- A guidance counselor asked for permission to search the student. Dr. Parker did not look up, didn’t search the child, didn’t notify the principal or police, but instead said, “he has little pockets.”
- Zwerner was shot through her hand into her chest and underwent six surgeries. The bullet remains in her chest.
- Dr. Parker had four opportunities to prevent the shooting but failed.
- Daniel Hogel delivered the opening statement for Ebony Parker.
- WATCH: 1st Grader Shoots Teacher Civil Trial: Defense Opening Statements
- Hindsight is 20/20 and nobody could have seen the incident coming.
- The law requires judging recisions based on information available at the time, not after the fact.
- Standard is “indifference, not inadequacy,” meaning plaintiffs must prove that Dr. Parker exercised not even the slightest degree of care.
- Questioned whether Zwerner failed to take steps for her own safety.
- A 6-year-old shooting a teacher is “virtually unprecedented” and not reasonably foreseeable.
- Dr. Nina Farrish, HR Director of Newport News Public Schools
- Interviewed Dr. Parker two to three days after the shooting.
- Dr. Parker was aware that students reported a weapon in J.T.’s backpack, but had no plans to address the reports.
- Dr. Parker never contacted a school resource officer, the principal or called 911.
- The crisis management plan assumes that all threats are serious and that the student should be removed immediately before calling the resource officer or 911.
- John Sims, Richneck Elementary music teacher
- Sims was covering the phones when he received a call asking if J.T. had been searched regarding a gun report. He relayed the question to Parker, who said the backpack had been searched.
- The school handbook requires that Level III behaviors (weapon possession) be addressed with specific safety actions by the assistant principal; Sims did not observe Parker take the required actions.
- Rolonzo Rawles, school counselor
- Was asked to speak with an upset student, “R,” who reported that J.T. showed them bullets at recess and threatened to shoot them if they told anyone.
- Rawles expressed his concerns about the bullets to Parker and suggested that J.T.’s person be searched.
- Rawles returned to the classroom and told Zwerner about the decision not to search.
- During lockdown, found J.T. being held after the shooting and the gun on the classroom floor.
- Two days before, J.T. threw Zwerner’s cell phone.
- Parker didn’t refuse the search, just said to hold off.
- Didn’t think J.T. was a threat to the school based on his personal interactions with him.
- Jennifer West, lead first-grade teacher
- At recess, Zwerner reported that a student said she saw J.T. take something from his backpack and put it in his coat. She watched J.T. and “R” go behind a tree for 15-20 minutes.
- Pulled “R” aside, who was teary-eyed, and said J.T. had a gun and threatened to “hurt us, blow us up.”
- Called the office to report the incident, per protocol.
- Mr. Rawles returned and said they could not search J.T.
- Heard the shooting and immediately knew it was J.T. with a gun.
- Amy Kovac, reading specialist
- Two girls from Zwerner’s class told her that J.T. had a gun in his bag.
- Found J.T. “balled up” in his seat, which was unusual behavior.
- When asked about the gun, J.T. said, “No one is getting that bag.”
- Reported the abnormal behavior and comments girls reported to Parker, who just nodded acknowledgment.
- Received a text from Zwerner that J.T. took something from his bag and put it in his jacket pocket. She searched the backpack and found school items, but no gun.
- After hearing a gunshot, she immediately went to the classroom and restrained J.T., and called 911.
- Dr. Alan Chap, trauma surgeon
- Treated Zwerner at Riverside Regional Medical Center
- Bullet fragment remained in her chest
- Showed jury X-rays showing bullet location
- Julie Zwerner, Abigail’s mother
- Received a call from the principal saying, “Abby’s been shot.” She found her daughter in the hospital with tubes, machines and a bandaged arm.
- Had to help with all daily activities requiring two hands for more than a month.
- Abby has had six surgeries and still needs more treatment.
- Abby is now afraid of crowds, certain places and has trouble with unexpected sounds.
- Abby no longer wants to return to teaching; she is living appointment to appointment and has trouble making decisions and finding joy.
- On cross-examination, she conceded that Abby attended cosmetology school after the shooting and appeared on The Today Show, putting herself in public.
Portions of this story were reported by a journalist and have been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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