Richneck Elementary School

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

The former Virginia teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student in 2023 was awarded a multimillion-dollar settlement, according to multiple reports.

Abigail Zwerner, a former educator at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, was handed a $10 million settlement by a jury in a civil suit filed after the shooting. 

She had sought $40 million.

Zwerner sued ex-assistant Principal Ebony Parker, claiming that she failed to act on concerns that the student brought a weapon to the school.

She ultimately was shot in the chest and hand in her classroom.

"I remember just three years ago, almost to this date hearing for the first time Abby’s story, and thinking that this could have been prevented," attorney Diane Toscano said outside the courtroom, according to NBC News. 

"So now to hear from a jury of her peers that they agree that this tragedy could have been prevented ... we’re very happy with the outcome for today, and we’re happy that Abby’s story got to be told."

With the civil lawsuit settled, there will not be a criminal case against Parker beginning next month, where she will face multiple counts of felony child neglect.

“I suspect that defense would want the civil trial to go forward first, because they’re not going to be able to avoid it, and it gives them a lot of information about what would come in at the criminal trial,” UVA law professor Darryl K. Brown told CNN.

“The more important evidence for the prosecution would be from other witnesses and sources that reveal what the defendant knew with respect to the threat the child posed, and whether he had a gun." 

Neither Zwerner nor Parker spoke to reporters after the verdict was announced.

"We can’t let these kinds of school shootings, whether it’s an individual case like this or the mass shootings that have destroyed America, (continue)," lawyer Jeffrey Breit said outside the courthouse, according to NBC. 

"School safety, teacher safety, children’s safety is the most important thing. This verdict reminds people that you will be held accountable if you don’t make that your first concern."