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Former Virginia teacher Abigail Zwerner testified on Thursday (October 30) in a civil trial about the traumatic experience of being shot by a six-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Zwerner, who is suing former assistant principal Ebony Parker for $40 million, described the moments after the shooting on January 6, 2023, saying, "I thought I was dying, I thought I had died." She explained to the jury that she felt she was "on my way to heaven" before everything went black.
The lawsuit alleges Parker failed to act on multiple warnings about the student bringing a gun to school. Zwerner recounted that a reading specialist informed her about the potential threat, and she assumed Parker was aware and would handle the situation. However, the gun was not found during a backpack search, and the student later shot Zwerner, causing severe injuries to her hand and chest.
Zwerner's injuries have had lasting impacts on her life. She testified about her struggles with daily tasks, like opening a bag of chips, and the psychological scars that have left her feeling unsafe and socially withdrawn. Psychiatrist Dr. Clarence Watson testified that Zwerner suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, which has altered her sense of safety.
The defense questioned Zwerner's claims, presenting evidence of her attending public events and completing cosmetology school. They argued she might share some responsibility for not taking further action on the day of the shooting. However, Zwerner maintained she trusted the administration to address the threat.
The civil trial against Parker is ongoing, with a criminal trial set for next month. Parker faces eight counts of felony child neglect. The case highlights the broader issue of gun access and school shootings in the U.S.