Virginia Judge Dismisses Criminal Case Against Former Assistant Principal
A Virginia judge dismissed all criminal charges against former assistant principal Ebony Parker in the 2023 shooting of a teacher by a 6-year-old student. The ruling ends the criminal proceedings but follows a separate civil verdict awarding the teacher $10 million.
A Virginia judge on Thursday dismissed all eight criminal charges against former assistant principal Ebony Parker in connection with the 2023 shooting of a first-grade teacher by a 6-year-old student. Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson ruled that the conduct did not constitute a crime under state law.
The decision came after two days of testimony in the criminal trial at Newport News Circuit Court.
The shooting occurred in January 2023 at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. The student brought a gun from home and shot teacher Abby Zwerner in her classroom. Zwerner was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. She underwent six surgeries and no longer has full use of her left hand.
Parker faced eight counts of felony child neglect, one for each unspent bullet in the gun. Prosecutors argued she failed to follow school protocol after receiving multiple warnings that the student had a gun. Defense attorney Curtis Rogers said Parker may have had a lapse of judgment but did not act criminally.
"Nobody acted as if there was an actual firearm," Rogers told the court.
A civil jury last November awarded Zwerner $10 million in damages against the Newport News School Division and administrators. Zwerner's attorneys said the criminal dismissal removes an obstacle to insurance coverage in the civil case. The student's mother, Deja Taylor, pleaded guilty to child neglect and related firearm charges.
She was sentenced to two years in state prison and 21 months in federal prison. Parker and Zwerner both resigned after the shooting. The criminal case against Parker is now concluded.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- January 2023
A 6-year-old student brought a gun to Richneck Elementary School and shot teacher Abby Zwerner.
2 sourcesABC · Just the News - November 2025
A civil jury awarded Zwerner $10 million in damages against the school division and administrators.
2 sourcesABC · Just the News - May 20, 2026
Judge Rebecca Robinson denied a defense motion for a mistrial during the criminal trial.
2 sourcesABC · Just the News - May 21, 2026
Judge Rebecca Robinson dismissed all eight felony child neglect charges against Ebony Parker.
2 sourcesABC · Just the News
Potential Impact
- 01
The criminal proceedings against Ebony Parker have concluded.
- 02
Newport News can no longer cite the criminal charges to deny insurance coverage in the civil case.
Transparency Panel
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