Charges dismissed against official at school where 6-year-old shot teacher

A judge in Virginia has dismissed all charges against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal at an elementary school where a six-year-old student shot his teacher. Parker had faced eight felony child abuse charges, including disregard for life, for allegedly ignoring warnings that the student possessed a gun. The defense argued the state failed to prove its case, and the judge agreed. In January 2023, the child fired a single shot at teacher Abigail Zwerner, who sustained injuries requiring surgery. The child's mother, Deja Taylor, previously served jail time for a drug charge related to the firearm used in the incident.

Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, is facing trial on criminal charges for allegedly ignoring warnings that a six-year-old student brought a loaded gun to school. The trial begins Monday, with Parker charged with eight counts of felony child neglect, one for each bullet in the gun. Prosecutors allege her actions showed a "reckless disregard for human life." In January 2023, the student used the gun to shoot his first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, who was awarded $10 million in a civil lawsuit against Parker. Zwerner testified that school staff repeatedly warned Parker about the gun before the shooting occurred. The student's mother was previously sentenced for child neglect and weapons charges.