A Virginia judge dismissed all felony charges against former assistant principal Dr. Ebony Parker in Newport News court on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The ruling ended a high-profile criminal case linked to a 2023 elementary school shooting at Richneck Elementary School.
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Judge Rebecca Robinson granted a defense motion to strike the charges during the court proceedings, according to 13News Now.
The decision prompted an emotional response inside the courtroom, where Parker was seen weeping before embracing family members outside.
Defense attorneys Curtis Rogers and Stephen Teague expressed satisfaction with the outcome outside the courthouse.
"Obviously, Mr. Teague and myself are very pleased with the outcome," said Rogers.
Teague noted that this ruling marked the first time in his legal career that a judge granted his motion to strike felony charges, describing his immediate reaction as relief and happiness.
"We're just happy that we were part of her journey," added Teague.
The prosecution declined to discuss potential legal steps following the dismissal.
"Nothing else to say about it," said prosecutor Joshua Jenkins to reporters.
Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Anton Bell expressed that the prosecution had intended for the local community to decide the case outcome through a complete trial.
"From the outset, this case carried significant importance to the community.
It was the citizens of Newport News, through the grand jury process, who determined that indictments against Ebony Parker were appropriate based upon the evidence presented.
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We had hoped the community would have had the opportunity to weigh in through the full judicial process.
Nevertheless, the Court has now concluded the matter as it deemed appropriate under the law.
Our office remains committed to pursuing justice with integrity, transparency, and fairness, while continuing to honor the role that citizens play in our criminal justice system," Bell stated.
Teacher Abby Zwerner did not attend the Thursday court session, but her legal team emphasized that their attention remains fixed on a civil lawsuit stemming from the shooting.
"One of the many obstacles the City of Newport News placed in Abby Zwerner's path to justice was their argument they could deny insurance coverage in our civil case because of possible criminal conduct.
Today, that is no longer an excuse that the City can hide behind. This was always the Commonwealth's criminal case — not Abby's civil case.
Abby complied with the subpoena requiring her testimony once again, despite the emotional toll of repeatedly reliving this tragedy.
From the beginning, our focus has remained on obtaining justice in civil court for the preventable failures that led to Abby being shot.
A Newport News jury has already spoken, returning a $10 million verdict in Abby's favor.
Yet even today, the City of Newport News continues to resist accepting responsibility and delivering the justice that verdict represents," stated attorneys Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan, and Jeffrey Breit.
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The City of Newport News is currently facing ongoing legal pressure regarding the civil verdict as the civil case proceeds.
