Abby Zwerner (Abigail Zwerner) Case: Court TV Covers Virginia Teacher Shot by Student Trial

The Abby Zwerner (Abigail Zwerner) case has drawn nationwide attention once again as Court TV provides full coverage of the Virginia trial involving the teacher who was shot by her six-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School. The civil trial, nearly three years after the shocking classroom shooting, concluded Thursday with a jury ruling in favor of Zwerner and recommending she receive $10 million in damages.

The case centers on Zwerner’s lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, whom she accused of negligence and failure to act on repeated warnings that the child had brought a gun to school. The January 2023 shooting stunned educators and parents across the country and reignited urgent conversations about school safety and administrative responsibility.

Court TV Coverage of the Abby Zwerner Trial

Court TV has been closely following the trial from Newport News, Virginia, offering viewers in-depth coverage and expert legal commentary. The network highlighted key moments, including Zwerner’s emotional testimony, where she recalled the terrifying seconds after being shot by the first grader during class.

“I thought I was dying,” Zwerner said during her testimony. “The last thing I remember at the school—I thought I had died. Then everything went black.”

According to courtroom footage shown on Court TV, Zwerner described her long recovery and lasting trauma. The bullet passed through her hand and into her chest, where it remains lodged to this day. Her attorneys argued that multiple school employees warned Parker about the potential danger before the shooting, but no immediate action was taken to search the student’s backpack.

The jury’s decision to award $10 million—one-fourth of the $40 million originally sought—was widely seen as a major victory for Zwerner and a public rebuke of school officials who failed to prevent the tragedy. Legal analysts on Court TV noted that the verdict could have a lasting impact on how schools handle safety threats and internal warnings in the future.

How the Case Unfolded and What Comes Next

Following the shooting on January 6, 2023, Zwerner filed a civil lawsuit against Newport News Public Schools and several administrators. Over time, all defendants except Ebony Parker were dropped from the case. Parker, who served as assistant principal at Richneck Elementary, was accused of ignoring urgent reports from teachers who believed the child had a firearm in his possession.

During the trial, Zwerner’s twin sister also took the stand, telling jurors that Abby’s “light has been dimmed” since the shooting. Her testimony, along with detailed medical records, underscored the permanent physical and psychological toll of the incident.

As Court TV reported, Parker showed little visible reaction as the jury’s verdict was read. She faces a separate criminal trial scheduled for November 17, where she is charged with eight counts of child neglect. If convicted, she could spend up to 40 years behind bars.

Newport News Public Schools has not commented publicly on the outcome. Zwerner’s attorneys said post-verdict motions will follow, but no timeline has been confirmed for further rulings by the court.

The Abby Zwerner (Abigail Zwerner) case remains one of the most defining legal and moral moments in U.S. school safety history—now amplified through Court TV’s nationwide coverage, ensuring the story reaches classrooms, parents, and policymakers across America.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is Abby Zwerner (Abigail Zwerner)?

Abby Zwerner is a former first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, who was shot by her six-year-old student in January 2023.

Q2: What did the jury decide in the Abby Zwerner trial?

The jury ruled in favor of Zwerner, recommending she receive $10 million in damages in her civil lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker.

Q3: Why is Court TV covering the Abby Zwerner case?

Court TV is airing the case due to its national significance in education law and public safety, providing detailed courtroom coverage and legal analysis.

Q4: What are the criminal charges against Ebony Parker?

Parker faces eight counts of child neglect in a separate case and could face up to four decades in prison if found guilty.

Q5: Why is the case important for schools nationwide?

The verdict sets a precedent for how schools may be held accountable for failing to act on credible threats and could shape future school safety policies.