Jury Awards $10 Million to Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Student

The jury's decision comes after a nearly two-week trial in which Zwerner's lawyers argued that Parker had ignored warnings from teachers and parents about the child's access to a gun. Parker's lawyers maintained that the school had taken adequate steps to prevent the shooting. In a statement, Zwerner's lawyer, Benjamin Zehnder, said, "Today's verdict is a testament to the bravery and resilience of Abby Zwerner, who has endured unimaginable pain and suffering as a result of the actions of Ebony Parker and the school district." Parker's lawyer, James Ellenson, declined to comment on the verdict. The shooting at Richneck Elementary School in January 2023 sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater gun control in the United States. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of schools to gun violence and the need for more effective measures to prevent such tragedies. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 93 reported incidents of gun violence in schools in the United States in 2020-21, resulting in 31 deaths and 54 injuries. The case has also drawn attention from international observers, who have expressed concern about the ease with which children can access guns in the United States. "This case is a stark reminder of the need for stricter gun control laws in the United States," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. "The fact that a 6-year-old child was able to access a gun and shoot a teacher is a tragedy that could have been prevented with more effective gun control measures." The $10 million verdict is seen as a significant victory for Zwerner, who has been advocating for greater accountability and transparency in schools. The case is likely to have far-reaching implications for schools and districts across the United States, as they grapple with the need to balance student safety with the rights of students and parents. The next development in the case is expected to be a request by Zwerner's lawyers for a new trial against the school district, which was dismissed as a defendant by a judge earlier this year.