Virginia Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Student Awarded $10 Million Verdict

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – November 8, 2025 – A Virginia jury has awarded a staggering $10 million in damages to Abigail Zwerner, a first-grade teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in January 2023. The landmark verdict, delivered late last week, found former school administrators grossly negligent in their handling of the student and repeated warnings about his violent behavior.

The decision marks a critical moment for discussions around school safety, administrative accountability, and the legal responsibilities of educators and institutions in preventing violence, even from very young children. The jury deliberated for several hours before reaching its conclusion, siding squarely with Zwerner's claims that school officials ignored explicit warnings about the student's access to a firearm and his volatile demeanor.

The Incident: A Day of Horror in the Classroom

On January 6, 2023, Abigail Zwerner was teaching her first-grade class when she was shot in the hand and chest by a 6-year-old male student. The child had brought his mother's handgun to school. Zwerner, critically wounded, managed to usher her students to safety before collapsing. She sustained severe injuries, including permanent damage to her hand and lingering physical and emotional trauma.

The Newport News Police Department investigated the incident, concluding that the shooting was intentional. The child's mother was later charged with felony child neglect and faced a separate federal charge for illegally purchasing the firearm. She pleaded guilty to both. However, Zwerner's lawsuit pivoted to focus on the school's alleged failure to act.

Allegations of Gross Negligence Against School Leadership

Zwerner’s legal team argued that several school administrators, including then-Principal Briana Foster Newton and Assistant Principal Ebony Parker, were aware of the student’s history of behavioral problems and had received multiple warnings on the day of the shooting that he was armed and a danger to others.

Testimony during the trial revealed that on the day of the incident, at least three staff members warned administrators that the student might have a gun. One teacher reportedly told Assistant Principal Parker, "I'm telling you, Ebony, he has a gun in his backpack." Despite these urgent pleas, no comprehensive search was conducted, nor were immediate steps taken to isolate or remove the student from the classroom environment.

The lawsuit specifically highlighted:

• Ignored Warnings: Multiple warnings from staff about the student's behavior and the possibility of a weapon.
• Failure to Act: Administrators allegedly failed to follow established protocols for searching students or addressing credible threats.
• Previous Incidents: The student had a history of violent outbursts, including choking another teacher and attempting to whip students with a belt.

Lawyers for the school administrators countered by claiming they had taken reasonable steps and that the situation was unforeseeable. However, the jury ultimately rejected these arguments.

The Jury's Verdict and Damages Awarded

The jury found both Briana Foster Newton and Ebony Parker liable for gross negligence, awarding Zwerner $1.5 million in compensatory damages and an additional $8.5 million in punitive damages. The significant punitive damages suggest the jury intended to send a strong message about the severe dereliction of duty by the administrators.

This verdict is a powerful affirmation of the duty of care owed by school leadership to their staff and students. Legal experts following the case noted the rarity of such a large award in a negligence case against school officials stemming from a student-perpetrated act. It could set a precedent for future litigation involving school safety and administrative accountability.

Broader Implications for School Safety and Accountability

The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly resonate throughout school districts nationwide. It underscores the profound responsibility of school administrators to take all threats seriously and to implement and enforce robust safety protocols. Educators, often on the front lines, are increasingly facing complex challenges, including student mental health crises and the tragic reality of gun violence.

The case also reignites conversations about supporting teachers who report concerning student behavior, ensuring their warnings are not dismissed, and creating clearer lines of communication and authority when potential threats emerge. For the community of Newport News, the verdict offers a measure of justice for Ms. Zwerner, while also prompting a necessary re-evaluation of school governance and the protection of those entrusted to teach and learn.

Looking Ahead

While the verdict provides financial compensation to Zwerner, her legal team has acknowledged that the emotional and physical scars will remain. The case also highlights the ongoing struggle to balance student rights with the safety of the entire school community, a challenge that school districts will continue to grapple with in a post-verdict landscape. The focus now shifts to how schools will adapt their policies and accountability measures in light of this landmark ruling.