Judge dismisses charges against former school official in case of 6-year-old who shot teacher
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- A Virginia circuit court judge dismissed criminal charges against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal accused of ignoring warnings that a 6-year-old child had a gun at school, ruling that her actions did not constitute a crime.
- The charges, which included eight counts of felony child abuse and disregard for life, were dismissed with prejudice, preventing the case from being retried.
- The case stemmed from a January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School where the child wounded his first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, who survived and was later awarded $10 million in a related civil lawsuit against Parker.
- During the trial, testimony revealed that Parker was informed about the child's suspected firearm but recommended waiting for the child's mother before conducting a full search, while the defense argued other staff members also failed to act appropriately.
- The child's mother pleaded guilty to felony child neglect and federal gun charges and has been released from custody; prosecutors have stated the child will not face criminal charges due to his extreme emotional issues.