Graphic Content Warning: This article contains police body camera footage from the scene following a school shooting.
In a Virginia courtroom, charges against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal, were dropped. She faced accusations of neglecting warnings before a 6-year-old student shot a teacher. The judge dismissed these charges after the defense successfully argued that the prosecution hadn’t sufficiently proven their case.
“If Parker’s actions are to be considered a crime, it will be up to the legislature to define it,” declared Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson on Thursday. “Thus, I am granting the defense’s motion to dismiss all charges, including the eight counts of felony child abuse and endangerment.”
Following the decision, Parker appeared emotional, resting her head on the table and seemingly in tears.
TEACHER SHOT BY 6-YEAR-OLD TESTIFIES: SHE DID NOT REMOVE THE CHILD FROM CLASS AS DEFENSE EXPERTS SUPPORT SCHOOL OFFICIALS
Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School, looked back during the courtroom proceedings involving Abby Zwerner’s lawsuit in Newport News, Virginia, on October 28, 2025. (Photo by Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, Pool)
Parker was charged with eight counts of felony child neglect in the January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News.
The charges alleged 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,” according to court documents.
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Prior to the dismissal of all charges, Parker was potentially facing up to five years in prison on each count. Thursday’s dismissal ends the criminal proceedings against Parker in the case.
Abigail Zwerner, the teacher shot by a 6-year-old student in January 2023, was the first witness Tuesday, May 19 in the trial of Ebony Parker in Newport News, Virginia. (WAVY)
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First-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner was injured in the shooting.
The trial began with opening statements Tuesday, and the prosecution called 16 witnesses in all. On Tuesday, Zwerner took the stand recounting the moment her 6-year-old student opened fire on her in January 2023.
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“I saw this student looking at me,” she testified. “I looked over, the gun was pointed right at me, and then I was shot.”
The bullet traveled through her left hand and into her chest, she said.
WATCH: Bodycam video shows teacher after she was shot by 6-year-old student
She told jurors the student had already displayed aggressive behavior earlier that week, including an incident in which he grabbed and smashed her cellphone during reading-group time.
Zwerner testified the child appeared “very defiant” before breaking the phone and had what she described as a “challenging face.”
Teacher Abby Zwerner was awarded $10 million in damages related to the January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va. (Newport News Police Department/Associated Press)
In November 2025, Zwerner was awarded $10 million in a civil trial against Newport News Public Schools, accusing the school division and administrators of gross negligence and alleging they ignored multiple warnings and failed to prevent the shooting.
It also claimed the student had a documented history of concerning and violent behavior.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Parker’s attorney, Curtis Rogers, and Prosecutor Josh Jenkins for comment.
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