American teacher Abby Zwerner, shot and injured in class by a six-year-old student, testified Thursday in Newport News, Virginia, as part of her $40 million civil lawsuit filed against the former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School.
• Also read: ‘Mom, help’: Elementary school student describes horror when 6-year-old shot teacher
• Also read: Injured by a 6-year-old child: a teacher sues the school for $40 million
• Also read: What we know about the case of the 6-year-old boy who deliberately shot his teacher
Ms. Zwerner seeks compensation for serious injuries suffered, and to encourage greater accountability of schools in the face of ignored warning signs, reports CNN.
“I thought I was dying. I thought I was dead,” said the young woman, remembering the moment she was shot in the hand and chest on January 6, 2023.
She insists “the expression on the student’s face is the most striking image that I keep”.
Screenshot/CNN
She is claiming $40 million against Ebony Parker, the former assistant director of the school, accused of having ignored “several warnings” according to the file.
The trial also provides a preview of the criminal process to come: Ms. Parker is being charged with eight counts of criminal neglect of a child and remains the sole defendant after other school officials were fired.
This is a rare case where an educational official could be held criminally for a school shooting, according to the American media.
The ruling in this case could set a precedent for how American schools and their leaders will be held accountable in the future.
