Graphic content warning: This article includes police body camera footage following a school shooting.
A Virginia judge has dismissed criminal charges against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, who faced accusations of neglecting warnings before a 6-year-old shot and killed a teacher. The defense argued that the prosecution failed to substantiate its case adequately.
“If Parker’s actions were indeed criminal, the Legislature would need to define them,” Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson stated on Thursday. “As such, I am granting the defense’s motion to vacate all eight counts related to felony child abuse and child endangerment.”
Parker was seen resting her head on the table, appearing emotional.
This incident stems from a shooting that took place in January 2023 at Rich Neck Elementary School in Newport News. Parker faced eight counts of felony child neglect in connection with this case.
According to court documents, the charges suggested Parker committed acts or failed to act in a way that showed a reckless disregard for the lives of the students.
Parker could have been sentenced to up to five years for each count, but the dismissal effectively brings her case to an end.
First-grade teacher Abigail Zwirner sustained injuries during the incident. In May 2025, she sued Newport News Public Schools for gross negligence, alleging the school ignored multiple warnings and failed to take adequate preventive measures. Zwirner claimed the shooter had a history of concerning behavior, including an earlier incident where he had smashed her cell phone during class.
During her testimony, Zwirner recounted the traumatic moment when the student pointed the gun at her. “I could see this student looking at me,” she said. “I turned around and the gun was pointed at me, and I got shot.” She also mentioned feeling a bullet pass through her hand and being hit in her chest.
In an earlier part of the trial, Zwirner described the child’s aggressive behavior. Shortly after the shooting, she provided details about the child’s demeanor, stating he appeared “very defiant.”
In November 2025, Zwirner was awarded a $10 million judgment against the Newport News Public Schools, underscoring the severity of the situation and the school’s response—or lack thereof—to the student’s violent tendencies.
