Jury Deliberates in Urgent Civil Trial After Richneck Shooting

UPDATE: A Newport News Circuit Court jury has just begun deliberating in the high-stakes civil trial involving Abby Zwerner, a teacher shot by a 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School on January 6, 2023. The jury received the case around 3 p.m. following intense closing arguments, and the outcome could have significant implications for school safety and accountability.

The trial, which has lasted a week, focuses on claims of negligence against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal at Richneck. Zwerner’s legal team argues that Parker ignored multiple warnings about the potential presence of a gun in the school, asserting that every minute counted. Attorney Kevin Biniazan emphasized, “The road signs were screaming at her, flashing at her… She blew past the signs.”

Zwerner, who was shot while teaching a first-grade reading class, sustained severe injuries. The bullet went through her hand, with a fragment now dangerously close to her aorta. Biniazan is seeking $40 million in damages, citing the life-altering impact of the incident on Zwerner’s ability to teach. He stated, “Her choice to be what she wanted to be is changed and taken from her.”

In stark contrast, Parker’s defense argues that the situation must be judged in real-time, claiming the possibility of a six-year-old bringing a real gun to school was unforeseeable. Attorney Sandra Douglas stated, “It was unthinkable and unprecedented.” The defense also shifted some blame to Zwerner and other staff members for failing to address the situation effectively.

The jury has been instructed to avoid rendering their verdict based on sympathy or concerns about potential financial repercussions for Parker. Significantly, they were not informed that the Newport News School Board’s insurance, managed by the Virginia Risk Sharing Association, is expected to cover any judgment against Parker.

As this case unfolds, it raises critical questions about school safety protocols and accountability measures in educational environments. With verdict deliberations now underway, the community is watching closely to see how the jury will navigate the complex issues of negligence and responsibility.

This remains a developing story. For updates, contact Peter Dujardin at 757-897-2062 or [email protected].