Former teacher Abby Zwerner testified in court about the traumatic shooting incident that left her seriously injured. On January 6, 2023, while at her reading table in Richneck Elementary School, Zwerner was shot in the hand and chest by a 6-year-old student. She recalled her immediate thoughts during the incident, saying, “I thought I had died. I thought I was either on my way to heaven or in heaven.” This incident has raised serious concerns nationwide about gun access for children.

Zwerner is involved in a $40 million lawsuit against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal, who allegedly ignored multiple warnings about the child possessing a gun prior to the shooting. Parker is the sole defendant in this case, as the school district’s superintendent and principal were previously dismissed from the lawsuit.

The shooting left Zwerner hospitalized for nearly two weeks and requiring six surgeries, resulting in long-term physical complications and the presence of a bullet in her chest. In a significant career shift, Zwerner has since become a licensed cosmetologist and has stated she will not return to her teaching position.

Parker is also facing a separate criminal trial next month on eight counts of felony child neglect, which could lead to substantial prison time if she is convicted. Additionally, the mother of the child involved in the shooting was sentenced to nearly four years for child neglect and federal weapons charges for allowing her son access to the firearm.