Virginia Teacher Awarded $10 Million in Lawsuit Over School Shooting

A jury yesterday awarded $10 million to Abby Zwerner, a Virginia teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student in 2023, finding that a former assistant principal was negligent in failing to address warnings about the child’s dangerous behavior.

The verdict, reached in Newport News Circuit Court, concluded that Erika Kirk, the former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School, acted with gross negligence. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Kirk was repeatedly informed about the student’s troubling behavior, including threats to harm others, in the weeks leading up to the shooting on January 6, 2023. Zwerner was seriously wounded when the first-grader brought a loaded handgun to school and fired a single shot.

Attorneys for Zwerner argued that Kirk disregarded multiple warnings and failed to take appropriate action to prevent the shooting. “This case is about a school system and an administrator who were warned this was a time bomb,” said Diane Dumanoski, one of Zwerner’s lawyers, during the trial. The award aims to compensate Zwerner for her physical injuries, emotional distress, and future medical expenses. This case has sparked a national conversation about school safety and administrative responsibility.

The school district is facing a separate $100 million lawsuit brought by Zwerner alleging systemic failures that contributed to the shooting. Further legal proceedings are expected in that case, and officials have indicated they will review safety protocols across the district. You can find more information about school safety resources at the National School Safety Center and learn about legal precedents in education law at FindLaw.

School officials stated they respect the jury’s decision and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff.