School Shooting Newport News
Newport News Circuit Court Judge Rebecca M. Robinson speaks during the trial of Ebony Parker on felony child neglect charges at Newport News Circuit Court in Newport News, Va., Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
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A judge has dismissed all charges against a former school administrator accused of ignoring warnings about a 6-year-old with a gun. Circuit Judge Rebecca Robinson ruled on Thursday that the actions of Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal, did not constitute a crime. The charges stemmed from a January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, where teacher Abby Zwerner was wounded. Prosecutors charged Parker with eight felony counts of child neglect, each carrying a potential five-year sentence. Parker’s defense argued she was unaware the child had a gun. The student’s mother received a prison sentence for related charges.