Judge dismisses charges against [Virginia] school official accused of ignoring warnings of gun before shooting

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: CNN, via WTOP

Judge dismisses charges against school official accused of ignoring warnings of gun before shooting

CNN
May 21, 2026, 10:26 AM

(CNN) — A Virginia circuit court judge on Thursday dismissed criminal charges against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal accused of ignoring warnings that a 6-year-old child had a gun, after the defense argued the prosecution had not made its case.

“The court is of the legal opinion that this is not a crime,” Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson said. ... Parker put her head down on the defendant’s table and appeared to be sobbing.

The charges stem from the January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Virginia in which the child shot and wounded his first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner. She survived.

Parker had pleaded not guilty to eight counts of felony child abuse and disregard for life – one for each bullet in the child’s gun. The charges alleged she committed “a willful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life,” according to court documents.

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Read more: https://wtop.com/virginia/2026/05/judge-dismisses-charges-against-school-official-accused-of-ignoring-warnings-of-gun-before-shooting/