HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — On Jan. 6, 2023, a first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, was shot by her 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School.
This timeline provides a comprehensive overview of everything that's happened since the shooting, including the sentencing of the shooter's mother, Abby Zwerner's victory in her civil lawsuit, and the ex-assistant principal's upcoming criminal trial. For a more in-depth timeline of what happened the day of the shooting, click here.
Friday, January 6, 2023 - SHOOTING OCCURS
The shooting happens around 2 p.m. News 3 would later learn that Abby Zwerner was at her classroom's reading table when her first-grade student pulled out a gun and shot her. The bullet passed through her hand, pierced her chest, and caused significant injuries, including a collapsed lung.
Details about the shooting remain scarce until later that evening. Parents and guardians hear about the incident and begin to arrive at the school, desperate to reunite with their children.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew holds a press conference later that night and shares that a 6-year-old suspect, who is a student, is in custody. He also confirms that an injured teacher was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center. He says police deduced that the shooting was not accidental.
The school announces it would be closed the following Monday.
Saturday, January 7, 2023 - TEACHER IDENTITY CONFIRMED
Multiple sources confirm to News 3 that the injured teacher is first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner.
Sunday, January 8, 2023 - ZWERNER UPDATE; RALLY HELD
ZWERNER IS AWAKE, PRINCIPAL SAYS
Briana Foster-Newton, the principal of Richneck Elementary School, says Zwerner is awake and "talking with family and friends." She also shares that the school has extended its temporary closure from just Monday to the entire school week (Monday, Jan. 9 to Friday, Jan. 13).
ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE RALLY
A "Stop the Violence Rally" takes place on Sunday evening, two days after the shooting.
"We're trying to focus this on a mental issue more than just the violence part of it," said Devon Kelley, a Stop the Violence Peace Rally organizer.
Monday, January 9, 2023 - POLICE GIVE UPDATE; VIGIL HELD
Authorities give an update, sharing that the 9mm handgun the 6-year-old suspect used was in the residence where he lived. It was legally purchased by the suspect's mother, police explain.
Chief Drew says the teacher took a defensive position by raising her hand. The single bullet went through her hand and entered her chest.
The child suspect and parents have been interviewed by police. Drew says the child was taken to a hospital where he was evaluated and is at a center receiving treatment.
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
A prayer vigil for Abby Zwerner is held at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Admin Building on Warwick Boulevard. Attendees were encouraged to wear green, Richneck's school color, and bring candles.
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 - ITEM PICK UP
Principal Newton says not all students were able to access their coats and backpacks during parent pickup on the day of the shooting, and they can retrieve their belongings at the school on Tuesday.
Thursday, January 12, 2023 - VIRTUAL TOWN HALL
At a virtual town hall for Richneck families, Superintendent Dr. George Parker III says school officials had been alerted before the shooting that the student involved may have had a weapon. He also says a search of the boy's backpack found nothing.
School officials confirm metal detectors would be placed in all Newport News schools.
Friday, January 13, 2023 - EXTENDED LEARNING SUPERVISOR NOW LEADING RICHNECK ELEMENTARY
Newport News Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Price tells News 3 Karen Lynch is only taking over some responsibilities of the principal, but she would not be an interim principal and she would not be completely filling the role.
Price says Richneck Principal Briana Foster-Newton and Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker were still employed by the school system, but she could not comment on whether they would still be working at that location.
Monday, January 16, 2023 - POLICE SAY 6-YEAR-OLD ASSAULTED TWO STAFF MEMBERS DAY OF SHOOTING
Chief Drew tells News 3 the 6-year-old assaulted two staff members the day of the shooting.
"There was a faculty member there who was physically restraining him. As we walked in the child struck her at that point, and we decided to take him into custody," Drew said.
Thursday, January 19, 2023 - SHOOTER'S PARENTS GIVE STATEMENT; ZWERNER LEAVES HOSPITAL
PARENTS OF 6-YEAR-OLD RELEASE STATEMENT
The parents of the 6-year-old student release their first statement since the shooting. The family's statement was released by an attorney, and the family was not identified.
In the statement, the family says the gun he had used was "secured."
The family also says their son "suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day." The week of the shooting was the first week they did not accompany him, according to the family.
The family added that they are praying for Abby Zwerner.
ABBY ZWERNER RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
Officials at Riverside Regional Medical Center tell News 3 Abby Zwerner was released from the hospital.
Spokesperson Angela Arcieri says Zwerner "continues her recovery as an outpatient with the support of family, friends, and health professionals. The Zwerner family respectfully asks for privacy during this time."
Monday, January 23, 2023 - RICHNECK REOPENING DATE SET
School officials confirm Richneck Elementary School will reopen to students on Monday, Jan. 30, almost a month after the shooting.
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 - SCHOOL BOARD PLANS TO DISCUSS SEPARATION AGREEMENT WITH SUPERINTENDENT
The Newport News School Board plans to discuss the potential approval of a separation agreement and severance with Superintendent Dr. George Parker, according to a special meeting agenda. The board will also discuss the appointment of an interim superintendent.
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 - ZWERNER'S FIRST STATEMENT; ASST. PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT OUT
ABBY ZWERNER'S LAWYER GIVES FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT
Zwerner's lawyer, Diane Toscano, gives a public statement for the first time since the shooting.
In a press conference, Toscano lays out a timeline of the day that detailed four separate incidents that lead teachers, including Zwerner, to speak to administration about the 6-year-old.
Three of those four incidents included telling administration they believed the child had a gun, Toscano says. She announces her plans to file a lawsuit against Newport News Public School on Zwerner's behalf.
RICHNECK ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RESIGNS
According to school spokesperson Michelle Price, Richneck Elementary School's Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker has resigned.
NEWPORT NEWS SCHOOL BOARD VOTES TO FIRE SUPERINTENDENT
In a 5-1 vote, the Newport News School Board votes to fire Dr. George Parker. Board member Gary Hunter is the only one to vote against Parker's removal.
Michele Mitchell, who served as executive director of student advancement at the time, is chosen to serve as interim superintendent.
Saturday, January 28, 2023 - CNU HONORS RICHNECK AT BASKETBALL GAME
The Captains' home men's basketball game against Salisbury is dedicated to Richneck Elementary School. Teachers, students, and staff who wore green received free admission. Green t-shirts are sold, with proceeds benefiting Abby Zwerner.
Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 - PRINCIPAL REASSIGNED
Newport News Public Schools confirms Briana Foster-Newton is no longer the principal of Richneck Elementary. An NNPS spokesperson says she's being reassigned within the district, although they did not state where.
Monday, January 30, 2023 - STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM
Students return to Richneck Elementary with ramped-up security and a new administrator. School Board Chair Lisa-Surles Law says roses were handed out to the students, and all parents were allowed to walk their children to their classrooms.
Zwerner's classroom where the shooting happened remains closed, and the class is moved to a new classroom.
Thursday, February 2, 2023 - FORMER PRINCIPAL ISSUES STATEMENT
For the first time since the shooting, former principal Briana Foster-Newton issues a statement through her lawyer, Pamela Branch.
Branch says Foster-Newton was never informed of the possibility of a weapon on the school's campus.
Foster-Newton is still employed by the district, but has not been officially reassigned, according to Branch.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 - LEGAL ACTION TAKEN ON BEHALF OF 2 STUDENTS
News 3 learns about two additional legal actions taken against Newport News Schools regarding the Richneck shooting.
One was sent by certified mail to the city attorney from the representative of a family of a Richneck student. The attorney notes her firm is representing the student for injuries sustained during the school shooting. She requests all evidence relevant to the incident be preserved.
The other is representing a different student, a first-grader at the school. The attorney says the child was subjected to bullying, assault and battery during the school year, and was present in the classroom where the shooting on Jan. 6 took place. They request all records pertaining to the student.
Sunday, February 12, 2023 - 'HERO' GRANT PULLED FROM RICHNECK'S OVERSIGHT
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids says "due to developing circumstances" at Richneck Elementary School, it canceled the school's oversight of a "Hero" grant for Abby Zwerner.
The foundation says instead, they would be working directly with Zwerner and her lawyer to oversee the grant.
Monday, February 20, 2023 - THREAT AT RICHNECK ELEMENTARY
In a letter to Richneck families, Karen Lynch, the school's extended learning supervisor, says a group of fifth graders were texting Saturday when one of them said they would "pop some bullets" and "tell someone to shoot up the class."
One of the students told their parents about the conversation which was then made known to a teacher. The teacher contacted school administrators.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - SHOOTING INVESTIGATION COMPLETE
Chief Drew says during a Facebook "Chat with the Chief" that detectives wrapped up interviews after weeks of investigating what happened inside the classroom.
Drew says his department handed over the full investigative report to the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, and charges have not been filed against anyone in the case at this point.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - STUDENT WON'T BE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn confirms to News 3 that aggravated assault charges would not be filed against the 6-year-old student.
"We do not believe the law supports charging and convicting a 6-year-old with aggravated assault," Gwynn says in a phone call with News 3.
Newport News police release a statement on Gwynn's behalf clarifying that other charges are still possible.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 - METAL DETECTORS INSTALLED IN NEWPORT NEWS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS
NNPS spokesperson Michelle Price says all Newport News middle and high schools are now equipped with metal detectors. Metal detectors will also be installed in the school system's elementary and early childhood centers, but that effort was delayed due to shipping issues.
Monday, March 20, 2023 - ABBY ZWERNER SPEAKS PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME
Abby Zwerner speaks publicly for the first time with NBC's Savannah Guthrie.
Zwerner said she's had four surgeries and is going through a challenging recovery. She also explains that she has some days when she "can't get up out of bed," but there are days she is able to go about her day and make it to appointments.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - ZWERNER'S LAWYER READY TO FILE LAWSUIT
A civil suit is drafted and ready to file on behalf of Abby Zwerner, according to her lawyer Diane Toscano.
Monday, April 3, 2023 - ZWERNER AND LEGAL TEAM FILE SUIT
Zwerner files a lawsuit for $40 million in damages from school officials, accusing them of gross negligence for allegedly ignoring multiple warnings on the day of the shooting.
The lawsuit states the student who shot Zwerner had a history of committing random acts of violence.
The defendants in the suit are the Newport News School Board, former Superintendent Dr. George Parker, former Richneck Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker and former Richneck Principal Briana Foster-Newton.
FORMER RICHNECK PRINCIPAL CONSIDERING COUNTERSUIT
In a statement given on behalf of former Richneck Elementary principal Briana Foster-Newton, lawyer Pamela Branch says they are "exploring the possibility" of a countersuit to Abby Zwerner's lawsuit against Foster-Newton and other administrators and school board members.
In the statement, Branch said the consideration for a countersuit comes as "it has been brought to our attention that prior to the shooting, another student in Ms. Zwerner's class warned her in class that the 6-year-old shooter had a gun and Ms. Zwerner allegedly told the student to sit down and be quiet."
Monday, April 10, 2023 - SHOOTER'S MOM FACES STATE CHARGES
A grand jury indicts the mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School, according to Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn.
Gwynn said 25-year-old Deja Taylor of Newport News is facing state criminal charges of felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a firearm as to endanger a child.
Newport News prosecutors also asked a Circuit Court judge to impanel a "special grand jury" to "continue the investigation into any security issues that may have contributed to this shooting." This could include looking at Richneck administrators, the school system, and possibly anyone else and could take months, possibly leading to more indictments, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 - SHOOTER'S MOM TURNS SELF IN
Deja Taylor, the mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot Zwerner, turns herself in to custody. Her bond was set at $5,000, according to court documents.
Monday, June 5, 2023 - SHOOTER'S MOM ALSO FACES FEDERAL CHARGES
Deja Taylor is also facing two federal charges: making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of firearm.
Federal documents outline how Deja Taylor is accused of knowing she was an unlawful user of marijuana when she possessed and purchased a gun from a gun shop in Grafton, Virginia.
Monday, June 12, 2023 - TAYLOR PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL GUN CHARGES
Deja Taylor pleads guilty to illegally obtaining and possessing a firearm and making a false statement on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form to purchase the firearm.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - ZWERNER NO LONGER NNPS EMPLOYEE
A spokesperson for Newport News Public Schools tells News 3 that Abby Zwerner is no longer employed with NNPS. They say Zwerner informed the Human Resources Department she was resigning from her position as a teacher for NNPS on March 13. Her employment with NNPS ended on June 12 - the last day of her contract, according to the spokesperson.
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 - NEW RICHNECK LEADERS
The Newport News School Board filed a motion for a protective order to keep documents between its legal team and the attorneys of Abby Zwerner private, according to Zwerner's attorneys.
Also on this date, the school board announces Richneck Elementary's new principal and assistant principal.
Friday, July 28, 2023 - CLEAR BACKPACKS REQUIREMENT
The Newport News School District said it is requiring all students to use clear backpacks in the 2023-2024 school year.
The notice on the school district's website said the division will be providing clear backpacks to all students in preschool through grade 12. They'll also get a small, opaque pouch to hold personal items.
Thursday, August 3, 2023 - NEW SUPERINTENDENT
The Newport News School Board votes to make Dr. Michele Mitchell the next superintendent of the system. Dr. Mitchell served as the interim superintendent after the board voted to fire Dr. George Parker III, in January.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 - ATTORNEYS HASH OUT NEXT STEPS IN ZWERNER SUIT
Attorneys for Zwerner and Newport News School Board agree to the stipulation that "No first-grade teacher in Newport News school system would expect or anticipate getting shot with a firearm by a student as part of their job."
Previously, Newport News School Board attorneys argued it was not reality to believe young children don't pose any danger to teachers, leading to backlash in the education community.
Zwerner attorneys say the stipulation means they won't have to interview other teachers about whether they consider getting shot an expected outcome of their jobs.
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 - SHOOTER'S MOM PLEADS GUILTY TO STATE CHARGE
Taylor pleads guilty to a state criminal charge of felony child neglect. However, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office moved to nolle prosequi a misdemeanor count of leaving a firearm in a way that could endanger a child. That means they’re not prosecuting the charge against Taylor, but it could be brought up at a later time.
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 - PROSECUTORS MOVE TO REVOKE TAYLOR'S BOND
News 3 reviews a document from the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Virginia stating that prosecutors recommended to revoke Deja Taylor's bond. According to the motion, Taylor violated the terms of her bond when she "possessed and used controlled substances," and drug tests showed marijuana and cocaine in her system on July 19 and Aug. 25, respectively. She also failed to attend scheduled treatment sessions for substance abuse, according to the motion.
A judge would eventually allow Taylor to remain on bond.
Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 - JUDGE MAKES RULING IN FAVOR OF ZWERNER
A Newport News Circuit Court judge rules Zwerner can press forward with her $40 million lawsuit against the school system over claims of negligence by school administrators. This means Zwerner could be entitled to much more than workers' compensation.
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 - TAYLOR SENTENCED ON FEDERAL CHARGES
A judge sentences Taylor to 21 months in prison and two years of probation after release on federal gun charges.
Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 - TAYLOR SENTENCED ON STATE CHARGE
A judge sentenced Taylor to five years in prison, with three years suspended, for felony child neglect.
Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 - ZWERNER GIVES INTERVIEW A YEAR AFTER SHOOTING
The day before a year since the shooting took place, Abby Zwerner sat down with News 3 to talk about her recovery.
Monday, March 11, 2024 - EX-ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CHARGED
Former Richneck Assistant Principal Ebony Parker is charged with eight counts of child neglect in relation to the shooting, News 3 learned in April when court records were made public.
A special grand jury report reveals shocking allegations against Parker, including claims she ignored warnings that the child had a gun, and that she shut herself in her office after she learned of the shooting.
Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 - ZWERNER "NOT GOING TO STOP FIGHTING"
Zwerner's team speaks with News 3 two years after the shooting. They tell us Zwerner is struggling to move on, but she's not going to stop fighting.
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - DEFENDANTS REMOVED FROM ZWERNER'S SUIT
A judge rules Zwerner's civil lawsuit can proceed against Ebony Parker, stating that “the allegations (about Ebony Parker) …are sufficient” to proceed to trial. The judge tosses the claims against Dr. George Parker and Foster-Newton.
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 - ZWERNER WINS SUIT
Zwerner wins her civil lawsuit after a jury finds Ebony Parker grossly negligent in preventing the shooting. Jurors assess Zwerner's damages at $10 million — less than the $40 million she was seeking when she filed the lawsuit.
Monday, May. 18, 2026 - PARKER'S CRIMINAL TRIAL
Ebony Parker's criminal trial was initially scheduled to go before a jury on Nov. 17., but it has since been continued to May 18 to 21, 2026. She's facing eight counts of felony child neglect — one count for each bullet in the gun used in the shooting.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
