A former assistant principal at a Virginia elementary school, Ebony Parker, is facing criminal charges of child abuse and neglect after the intentional shooting of a teacher by a first-grade student. The incident occurred at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, and the grand jury report outlines how Parker allegedly failed to protect the 15 children in the classroom. Despite multiple warnings from staff and students about the student having a gun, Parker did not take appropriate action on the day of the shooting.
The report details the events leading up to the shooting, including how the student attempted to shoot the teacher again after the first shot, but the gun jammed. Parker was made aware four times on the day of the shooting about the potential threat posed by the child. Despite these warnings, she did not take effective action to address the situation, leading to the tragic incident. The grand jury’s findings are in line with a lawsuit filed by the teacher, Abigail Zwerner, seeking $40 million in damages for the failure of school administrators to heed warnings.
The special grand jury, which reviewed school records and video footage, determined that there were systemic failures at the school that contributed to the shooting. It was also tasked with determining if anyone at the school should be held criminally liable for their actions or lack of actions in ensuring the safety of students. While the 6-year-old boy who committed the shooting was not charged due to his age, his mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced to prison for felony child neglect.
The grand jury report highlights the disciplinary issues exhibited by the student leading up to the shooting, including defiant behavior and aggression towards the teacher. The report also notes that the child’s parents were supposed to be with him daily as part of a care plan but were absent on the day of the shooting. The family has stated that the child has an acute disability and was receiving treatment at a medical facility through court-ordered temporary detention.
Despite the findings implicating Parker for her lack of response and poor decisions that contributed to the shooting, the principal at the time, Briana Foster-Newton, was not recommended for criminal charges. The grand jury found that while Foster-Newton may have had certain responsibilities regarding the care of the students at the school, she was not informed of the events on the day of the shooting and therefore not criminally liable due to her lack of knowledge. The case has raised concerns about the need for accountability and proper protocols in ensuring the safety of students in schools.
