NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — More than a year after Abby Zwerner was shot by her 6-year-old student, a Special Grand Jury indicted the school’s former assistant principal Ebony Parker on eight counts of felony child abuse.
The charges were filed in Newport News Circuit Court. WAVY obtained a copy of the indictment, which is dated March 11, 2024.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 10, the Special Grand Jury released its detailed 31-page report into the Richneck Elementary school shooting on Jan. 6, 2023.
Abby Zwerner’s legal team released a statement in response to the special grand jury’s findings.
“The grand jury report reveals a systemic failure that led to the shooting of Abby Zwerner. Most shocking is the apparent cover up of disciplinary records before and after the shooting. We are grateful for the work of the special grand jury and the answers they have provided this community.”
– Attorneys Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan, and Jeffrey Breit
Court documents reveal Parker, 39, “being responsible for the care of the student at the school, committed a willful act or omission in the care of said students in violation of Virginia Code: 18.2-371.1(B).”
According to the direct indictment, the Commonwealth recommends a secured bond of $4,000 and surrender of passport if one exists.
This comes less than two weeks after the attorneys for Abby Zwerner confirmed the former school teacher’s $40 million lawsuit is going to trial.
Attorney Emily Mapp Brannon represents several Richneck Elementary School families.
“These charges suggest that there is sufficient evidence that the students of Richneck were placed in peril by the very hands entrusted to protect them,” said Brannon. “As a representative of seven families, I remain optimistic that our criminal justice system will provide answers to the Richneck community. For the first time in over a year, the families may find comfort in knowing that the administration is being held accountable.”
Each of the lawsuits seek $3 million in damages, as well as other punitive damages.
Zwerner’s attorneys allege Parker was warned three times before the shooting that the 6-year-old student had a gun, but she failed to call 911 or put the school on lockdown. There was also no security guard on duty that day.
“These charges are very serious and underscore the failure of the school district to act to prevent the tragic shooting of Abby Zwerner,” according to a statement from Zwerner’s legal team — attorneys Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan and Jeffrey Breit. “The school board continues to deny their responsibility to Abby, and this indictment is just another brick in the wall of mounting failures and gross negligence in their case.”
Around 2 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2023, while Zwerner was reading to the class, her student shot her. Zwerner was released from the hospital a couple weeks after the shooting.
Parker resigned from her position as assistant principal 19 days after Zwerner was shot.
Court records currently have Parker listed as a fugitive.
If found guilty, she could face up to 40 years in prison.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
