The former assistant principal of a Virginia elementary school is due in court Monday on charges of felony child neglect after a first-grade student brought a gun into a classroom in January 2023 and allegedly shot his teacher.
Ebony Parker allegedly ignored warnings that the child brought the gun to Richneck Elementary School, according to WRAL. Parker faces eight charges of felony child neglect, as the gun contained eight bullets. Each felony count carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, WRAL reported.
According to the charges, Parker “did commit a willful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life,” court documents cited by WRAL indicate.
Teacher Abby Zwerner was shot in the hand and upper chest during a lesson in her classroom in January 2023, according to police, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The 9mm handgun was legally purchased by the boy’s mother, and the child brought the gun to school in his backpack on the day of the shooting, police said. (RELATED: Court Tosses Out Alex Murdaugh Murder Convictions)
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said the shooting was “not accidental” at the time of the incident, according to The AP.
“What we know today is that she was providing instruction. He displayed a firearm, he pointed it and he fired one round,” Drew told the outlet.
Zwerner spent two weeks in the hospital following the incident, the AP reported in October 2025. She has undergone six surgeries, and a bullet that narrowly missed her heart remains in her chest. Zwerner testified back in October 2025 after suing Parker for $40 million.
During her testimony, Zwerner alleged she heard that a child had brought a gun to school from a reading specialist ahead of recess. Several people voiced concerns about the child having a gun, but Parker allegedly failed to act, according to The AP. The shooting occurred just a few hours later.
A jury awarded Zwerner $10 million in November 2025, according to WRAL.
Zwerner is set to testify during Parker’s criminal trial. The child’s mother was also held liable for the shooting and was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for felony child neglect and federal weapons charges, WRAL reported.