The former assistant principal of a Virginia school where a six-year-old boy shot a teacher broke down in tears as a judge dismissed the criminal charges against her. Ebony Parker, the ex-vice principal of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, was charged with eight counts of felony child neglect over the January 2023 shooting.
First-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner suffered gunshot wounds to her chest and hand after a young boy brought his mother's gun to school and fired at her. Parker had been accused of failing to protect Zwerner or students despite multiple warnings about the six-year-old's violent and aggressive behavior.
Judge Rebecca Robinson dismissed the case against Parker on Thursday, ruling that the former assistant principal did not break the law. 'If [Parker's actions] are meant to amount to a crime, the legislature will need to codify it,' the judge explained. 'Therefore, I do grant the defense motion to strike in full on all counts, all eight counts of felony child abuse and endangerment.'
Parker sobbed in court as the judge spoke, then left the courthouse without speaking to reporters, according to WTKR. Zwerner's family issued a statement expressing relief that the incident is behind her. 'We are happy that this tragic event is behind Abby,' the statement, sent by her aunt Karen Piere, said. 'As devastating as this shooting was, may it bring change to the education system in our country so that violent children are not placed in a general education classroom, and I hope that administrators are held accountable if this were to happen again for violent behavior.'
This is a developing story.
