“You will be able to judge for yourself whether or not this was foreseeable,” Hogan said in court. “The law requires you to examine people’s decisions at the time they make them.”
The jury disagreed, siding with Zwerner’s argument that Parker’s inaction directly led to the shooting.
Aftermath and Broader Implications of Former Teacher Lawsuit
The case has reignited national debate over school safety, administrative accountability, and access to firearms. The Associated Press noted that the shooting occurred on the first day the student returned from a suspension for slamming Zwerner’s phone.
Since the incident, Zwerner has left teaching and is now a licensed cosmetologist. Parker, meanwhile, faces a separate criminal trial later this month on eight felony counts of child neglect, each carrying up to five years in prison.
The shooting stunned the Newport News community and raised difficult cultural questions about how a child so young could gain access to a firearm.
“This case is about responsibility,” said Toscano after the verdict. “When a teacher says a child might have a gun, you don’t wait to find out if she’s right—you act.”
The Larger Conversation
The Former Teacher Lawsuit has become a landmark case in discussions about school safety and liability. As schools nationwide grapple with threats and the rise of youth gun violence, Zwerner’s victory may set a precedent for holding administrators accountable when early warnings are ignored.
