Abigail Zwerner wins $10 million in lawsuit over being shot by 6-year-old in Virginia school

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A former assistant principal ignored warning signs that a 6-year-old Virginia boy brought a gun to school, an act of gross negligence that led to the avoidable shooting of the child’s first-grade teacher, a jury found Thursday

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A former assistant principal ignored warning signs that a 6-year-old Virginia boy brought a gun to school, an act of gross negligence that led to the avoidable shooting of the child’s first-grade teacher, a jury found Thursday.

The panel of three men and four women sided with former instructor Abigail Zwerner and awarded her $10 million in damages, plus interest, stemming from her wounding on Jan. 6, 2023, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News.

The jury spent four hours deliberating on Thursday and two hours on Wednesday.

Following the verdict, Zwerner’s attorneys spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, with Zwerner herself standing off to the side with her family. She did not speak to the press.

"I remember just three years ago, almost to this date hearing for the first time Abby’s story, and thinking that this could have been prevented," attorney Diane Toscano said. "So now to hear from a jury of her peers that they agree that this tragedy could have been prevented ... we’re very happy with the outcome for today, and we’re happy that Abby’s story got to be told."