VA - Boy, 6, in custody after shooting teacher, Newport News, Jan 2023 *mom charged* #3

[Miss Poovy]

The grand jury report, already posted, indicated a lot of security deficiencies at this school. What position would be responsible for these deficiencies?

The other question I have is why have a policy and procedure manual if not followed? I’m thinking (IMO) how much privacy is a first grader, who may or may not have completed kindergarten, known violent tendencies & behavior problems entitled to? I think Ms Kovac (the reading teacher) would have completed more of a search if her job wasn’t potentially on the line.

I also feel for the kid. Old article, but hopefully is continuing to do better with his (g) grandfather. He may have emotional problems, but what was his parenting like?

Great-grandfather of Richneck shooter, who has full custody of 6-year-old, says boy is thriving at new school

NEWPORT NEWS — The great-grandfather of the 6-year-old shooter at Richneck Elementary says the boy is thriving — living with him and attending a new school in the region. Calvin Jerome Taylor, a retired Army soldier, said a Newport News judge granted him full custody of his great-grandson on...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Miss Poovy]

I don't know what kind of cosmetology she's doing exactly, but interestingly there are a few professional hairstylists who are missing a hand entirely (for example), so it seems to be a job that can be adapted in some aspects

Also, how different is going to cosmetology school than standing all day, doing repetitive tasks with your hand in a professional environment? There are also other fields that require cosmetology education or license. Teaching at high school vocational schools ( maybe hard to get a job without professional experience), working at a beauty supply company, Sally’s, for example. May be others.

 

[Tricia]

You can watch the livestream of the civil trial just by scrolling to the top of this thread.
We will move this to "Trials" when the criminal trial starts. This is the civil trial. It's unusual to have a civil trial before a criminal.

 

[mickey2942]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/us/teacher-shot-abby-zwerner-lawsuit

I haven't brought this up yet, but as a former teacher, if I thought a child in my classroom had a gun, I wouldn't be telling an assistant principal to check for the gun. I would have looked for the gun myself.

 

[PrairieWind]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/us/teacher-shot-abby-zwerner-lawsuit

I haven't brought this up yet, but as a former teacher, if I thought a child in my classroom had a gun, I wouldn't be telling an assistant principal to check for the gun. I would have looked for the gun myself.

Is it clear that Zwerner knew of the gun before? Lots of others in the school did for sure. I find the CNN article to not be a very fair piece of reporting. I still find it amazing from both a legal and a moral standpoint that all these people in the school knew the boy had or might have a gun, no one did anything, everyone just points the finger at everyone else, and the school district gets dismissed on sovereign immunity.

 

[mickey2942]

Is it clear that Zwerner knew of the gun before? Lots of others in the school did for sure. I find the CNN article to not be a very fair piece of reporting. I still find it amazing from both a legal and a moral standpoint that all these people in the school knew the boy had or might have a gun, no one did anything, everyone just points the finger at everyone else, and the school district gets dismissed on sovereign immunity.

Yes. I can't believe it either. When I worked at a school, we were always such a close team. Everyone knew what was going on all of the time with kids, other teachers. It is completely enmeshed.

I haven't worked at a school where everyone didn't know everyone else's business in a heartbeat.

So, it makes me wonder about this school is a really dysfunctional place, well obviously, but aside from that, it seems like people were isolated from each other.

 

[Simply Southern]

Is it clear that Zwerner knew of the gun before? Lots of others in the school did for sure. I find the CNN article to not be a very fair piece of reporting. I still find it amazing from both a legal and a moral standpoint that all these people in the school knew the boy had or might have a gun, no one did anything, everyone just points the finger at everyone else, and the school district gets dismissed on sovereign immunity.

They followed the Richneck handbook. Clearly stated during the trial report to an administrator.

Moo....I think the teachers were afraid to act without administrative approval. They repeatedly as do about searching the book again and his person. Parker finally agreed they could look in the bookbag, bit NEVER gave the approval to search his person ...wait for the mother to arrive.

I keep thinking how the DA delayed charging the mother and only after the State filed charges for illegally purchasing the gun. Every week NNP chief did a Facebook live (I posted here) clearly stating the investigation was complete and in the hands of the DA, from whatever reason the DA didn't want to charge anyone.

I'm in VA, our SB policy clearly states report to administration. Administrator is call lock down immediately, contact local LE immediately. LE handles the body search. In event of active shooter ANYONE can immediately call 911 and report.

I think, according to the trial NNPS has revised their hand book, per trial testimony.

Waiting on a jury verdict.

Moo...

 

[Cryptic]

The Civil Verdict is in.....

10 million dollars for the plaintiff. In theory, she is a millionaire several times over. In actuality, the theory may not reflect reality at all- or may reflect a partial reality.

Summary (well, to my understanding):

After the School Board formally asserted Sovereign Immunity and walked out, the only listed defendant is the school principal.

Forum members have raised the possibility of an insurance policy maintained by the School board serving as the deep pockets. Yet, that possibility has led to questions as to what types of damages the policy would cover and what amount the coverage is.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/us/teacher-shot-trial-abby-zwerner

 

[sds71]

A Virginia teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student in 2023 is awarded $10 million in a civil lawsuit.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1986494689390788855

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Abigail Zwerner wins $10 million in lawsuit over being shot by 6-year-old in Virginia school

Zwerner was shot in the hand and chest by the boy, who could have been stopped by assistant principal Ebony Parker, the teacher said in her lawsuit.

www.nbcnews.com

A former teacher shot by student, 6, wins $10M jury verdict against ex-assistant principal

The jury returned its decision against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News.

www.detroitnews.com

 

[tlcya]

A Virginia teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student in 2023 is awarded $10 million in a civil lawsuit.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1986494689390788855

good. The school should have handled this situation far differently. And Ms. Ebony Parker? Never should have been in her position in the first place. She deserved to lose this case. JMO

 

[Cryptic]

I haven't brought this up yet, but as a former teacher, if I thought a child in my classroom had a gun, I wouldn't be telling an assistant principal to check for the gun. I would have looked for the gun myself.

You have the same approach as the military.

On a firing range, anybody, including the newest private, can call cease fire immediately upon seeing something that is unsafe- or is potentially unsafe. Nobody needs to waste time passing word up to the commander- then wait for his response.

 

[PrairieWind]

Good for the jury. I'm still just stunned at how this was handled from the school administrators to the school board.
Will Zwerner be able to collect? I guess we will see what the insurance plan covers. Then she can garnish the rest from the former asst principal for the next 30 years.

 

[mickey2942]

Well, this won't be good for Parkers criminal trial. Settle today. Take a plea.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Live now

 

[ChatteringBirds]

She deserves the $10 million. I hope she gets it.

 

[PrairieWind]

Looking at the other case- that of Ebony Parker.... It seems Parker is going to be emotionally and mentally beat down- day after day, witness after witness- then wind up losing in the end. Maybe her attorney could have given her more, well, practical advise (unless I am missing something(s)- which I probably am):

- Appearances at civil trials is voluntary So.... why even bother to show up for the civil trial at all? Spare yourself the beat downs. Let them get a default judgement (yawn.... you don't have 40 million dollars- right?).

- Lets say that they actually try to collect the judgement. Certain states have laws that make it very hard, or even de facto impossible to actually seize the property of ordinary residents. Are you a Cowboys fan (hint, wink, nod)?

- Not ready to switch team loyalty- yet? Courts are not debt collectors and don't really actively pursue collection (if "Z" even tries to collect). There are forums where people with uhmm... "debt concerns" discuss ways to make bank accounts and pay deposits very hard to legally locate. They also discuss ways to ensure that account is always near empty.

- You are likely going to be convicted of some criminal charges and then get fired- even from the safety of the local "Ed Shed." For generations, people with your type of debt "concerns" and your need to start over, have suddenly become Cowboys fans. Sure, Dem Boyz are having a bad season. But, don't let that deter you.....

Attendance at a civil trial is not really voluntary. Not sure where that comes from. If she had not attended, the court likely would just default her out.
Not sure what the "team loyalty" issue is about. I don't care if Ebony Parker is "emotionally beat down." She deserves it.
I guess I don't understand why you are so against this teacher getting this judgment against a school administrator that clearly was willing to collect a 6 figure paycheck but not willing to lift a finger to do anything, even when she knew a six year old was walking the halls with a gun.

 

[mickey2942]

They can garnish her pension, and all other sources income.

 

[mpnola]

I keep remembering my sister in law who taught in Houston. She only taught for 2 years because it was quite dangerous and she didn't feel she could do what she needed to. There was a report of a child with a knife in her class. She was told she cannot search the bag or the child. She was very upset because the child made threats to her and she was supposed to just teach and not do anything about it. Schools have some very strict rules and the teachers are generally not the ones to make the search calls

As a side note, I was the Associate Director for community homes serving adults with mental health issues. My whole job was dealing with big, bad problems. All day long, I either gave clear instructions to the managers or handled it myself. There is a 0% chance I ever would have dealt with the guy who was cursing his staff out before I went and directly handled a report of one of my guys having a weapon!!!!!!! For me, in a similar supervisory position, that is absolutely inexcusable! Especially given the issues that already existed with this child. I mentioned this very early on, but at minimum, I would have called the mom, asked if they had any weapons in the home and can she check if it is missing. That's the minimum. But I would have jumped up and dealt with that immediately. I cannot think of anything that would panic me more than that sort of report. I cannot understand how she just did not act.

And I get that she was the defendant. But she looked angry and uncaring in court, too. Certainly, the jury can see that she still does not look like she has any compassion or concern for her teacher that got shot.

 

[mickey2942]

You have the same approach as the military.

On a firing range, anybody, including the newest private, can call cease fire immediately upon seeing something that is unsafe- or is potentially unsafe. Nobody needs to waste time passing word up to the commander- then wait for his response.

Which is probably why I don't teach school any longer. Back in my day, we could look in a student's backpack. No one had to get "permission" or ask for an administrator to do it, or for administrator to pass the buck, waiting for the parents to come in.

Of course, when I taught school, the first thing we taught was which bathroom to use. I would probably be fired for being so "subversive" now.

I will tell you this much, kids are far more violent now. I don't even know these games they play, "Roblox" and "Call of Duty". They spend hours at these video games. Shooting people. That is scary.