Trial began Tuesday for the $40 million lawsuit involving a Virginia school administrator that asks whether the shooting—carried out by a 6-year-old student—could have been prevented following multiple warnings.
The lawsuit filed by Abigail Zwerner, the victim and teacher of the 6-year-old shooter, seeks to address multiple failures by Richneck Elementary School to adequately respond to reports of concerning behavior and the child’s possession of a weapon.
More than 90 minutes before the first grader fired a 9 mm handgun at his teacher, it was reported that the student had the gun in his backpack. The advance warning was detailed by Director of Human Resources Dr. Nina Farrish during her testimony.
Reading specialist Amy Kovac, along with the music teacher, guidance counselor and first grade teacher were among those that informed the school’s administrator, Ebony Parker, about the student’s possession of a weapon. The lawsuit accuses Parker of failing to adequately respond to the many warnings of the threat that resulted in a multiple-week hospital stay for Zwerner.
The bullet, which passed through Zwerner’s hand and into her chest, remains lodged in Zwerner’s body after doctors determined it was a greater risk to her health to attempt to remove it. Doctors displayed images during the trial of the injuries detailing the extent of the damage and risk to Zwerner. (RELATED: Hashimi Doesn’t “Really Care” About Children Accessing Sexually Explicit Material)
Multiple arrests have been made in connection with the incident. In 2023, the 6-year-old’s mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for using marijuana while owning a gun and for making a false statement while purchasing the firearm. Additionally, the assistant principal faces a separate criminal trial next month. Prosecutors say Parker will face eight counts of felony child neglect for “each of the eight bullets that endangered all the students” in Zwerner’s classroom.
As the trial unfolds, Zwerner’s attorneys will lay out the many ways that the school’s protocol failed to address the situation which led to the classroom shooting. The court’s decision could invite a broader review of campus safety protocols that better address the need for swift and decisive responses to potential threats in schools. (RELATED: Jay Jones Faces Scrutiny Over Community Service Claims in 2022 Speeding Case as 2025 Election Nears)