NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The first day of testimony in the trial of Abigail Zwerner, the former Richneck Elementary School teacher shot by her 6-year-old student, vs. the Newport News School Division and former Assistant Principal Ebony Parker was an emotional one.
Watch Live: Day 3 of testimony in the case of Abigail Zwerner
A teacher who found Zwerner shot in her classroom and subdued the shooter, referred to in the courtroom as "JT", a Newport News Schools human resources director, and the trauma surgeon who treated Zwerner at Riverside Hospital all provided testimony of what they witnessed on Jan. 6, 2023.
Watch related: Zwerner's mom Julie takes the stand
The final testimony was delivered by Zwerner's mother, Julie, who told the court her daughter loved teaching and was becoming a great educator before her career was cut short by the bullet that pierced her hand and went into her chest.
Zwerner's legal team, led by Diane Toscano, will have to prove that the actions or inaction of Dr. Parker — who reportedly was aware that the student may have had a gun — led to Zwerner's shooting. Counsel for NNPS and Parker are seeking to prove that the tragedy was unavoidable.
Watch related: Trauma surgeon describes Zwerner's injuries from Richneck shooting
Wednesday, the first witnessed called was a police officer who responded to the scene in Zwerner's classroom. Bodycam footage from the officer was briefly shown by Court TV, and the officer described interacting with the wounded teacher as she provided life-saving measures.
Richneck Shooting
