A Virginia judge has dismissed all criminal charges against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, who was accused of ignoring warnings before a 6-year-old student shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, in January 2023. Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson ruled on Thursday that the charges did not constitute a crime under Virginia law, striking down all eight counts of felony child neglect.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
- Judge Rebecca Robinson dismissed all eight felony child neglect charges against Parker, stating the case did not meet legal standards under Virginia law.
- Prosecutors alleged Parker ignored multiple warnings that the student had a gun in his backpack before the shooting, which left Zwerner injured.
Deeper Dive & Context
Background of the Case
The charges stemmed from the January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School, where a 6-year-old student fired a single shot, injuring Zwerner. The gun contained eight bullets, leading to eight separate charges against Parker—one for each bullet. Zwerner later sued Parker for $40 million in a civil trial, which resulted in a $10 million award in her favor after a jury found Parker acted with gross negligence.
Prosecution’s Argument
Prosecutors argued that Parker failed to act on multiple warnings from staff, including Zwerner, who reportedly told Parker the student was in a "violent mood" and had made threats. Special prosecutor Josh Jenkins claimed Parker did not search the child’s backpack, call the police, or remove the student from the classroom. Jenkins argued that Parker’s inaction showed a "reckless disregard for human life."
Defense’s Argument
Parker’s defense team contended that she did not believe the child had a gun and that the teachers had the responsibility to act if they suspected a weapon. Defense attorney Curtis Rogers stated that Parker’s actions did not amount to neglect. A video interview of Parker, played in court, showed her saying she was told the child’s mother would pick him up, and a reading specialist searched the backpack but found no gun.
Judge’s Ruling
Judge Robinson ruled that the prosecution had not proven Parker’s actions met the legal threshold for a crime under Virginia law. She emphasized that her decision was based solely on legal principles, not the tragic nature of the incident. Parker broke down in tears upon hearing the ruling.
Civil Case Implications
The dismissal of criminal charges does not affect the civil case, where a jury already found Parker liable for gross negligence. Zwerner’s legal team stated that the criminal case’s outcome would not impact the civil judgment or insurance coverage.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The child’s mother, Deja Nicole Taylor, was also charged with felony child neglect for allegedly allowing her son to take the gun to school. Her case remains pending.