Abigail Zwerner Recounts Near-Death Experience After 6-Year-Old Student Shoots Her
Abigail Zwerner, a former teacher from Virginia, recounted her traumatic experience of being shot by a 6-year-old student two years ago. During her testimony on January 6, 2023, in Newport News, she expressed feelings of near death and fear. “I thought I was dying, I thought I had died,” she told the jury.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred at Richneck Elementary School. Zwerner sustained severe injuries when a bullet, fired by the child, passed through her hand before hitting her chest. This bullet remains embedded in her body due to the risks associated with its removal, according to medical testimony during the trial.
Legal Proceedings
Zwerner is pursuing a $40 million civil lawsuit against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal. She claims Parker ignored multiple warnings about the child’s potential threat. Zwerner stated that the shooting was preventable had Parker acted on these concerns.
- Several teachers testified they informed Parker about the weapon the child had.
- One teacher reported warning Parker three times about the gun in the boy’s backpack.
- Another teacher relayed similar information after receiving a tip from a student.
Ongoing Impact of the Shooting
Zwerner shared that she continues to struggle with everyday tasks, citing an incident where she was unable to open a bag of potato chips without assistance. “I think about it daily,” she mentioned, noting the mental scars left by the incident. “Sometimes I have nightmares.”
Conflict and Accountability
Initially, Zwerner’s civil complaint included several administrators along with Parker. However, the case has since narrowed down to Parker as the sole defendant. Any potential verdict against Parker will be covered by the Virginia Risk Sharing Association, an insurance pool that serves various public bodies.
This case continues to unfold, and further updates are expected as the trial progresses.
