Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker turned down counselor's request for permission to search student despite being told he was carrying a firearm and had received several reports of his violent behavior.
Gun brought by first grader jammed after one shot, leading to Zwerner surviving but Parker did not act on any reports from staff members about the student's firearm possession or behavior.
Special grand jury report found security and administrative fails leading up to Abby Zwerner shooting at Richneck Elementary School
On April 11, a special grand jury report was released that found security and administrative failures leading up to the shooting of Abby Zwerner by her student at Richneck Elementary School in Virginia. The report also noted lapses in judgment by school officials, including Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker who turned down a counselor's request for permission to search the 6-year-old student despite being told he was carrying a firearm and having received several reports of his violent behavior.
The report also found that the gun brought by the first grader jammed after one shot, which led to Zwerner surviving. The bullet passed through her hand and struck her chest. Despite this, Parker did not act on any reports from staff members about the student's firearm possession or behavior.
The report recommended a criminal investigation of Parker for obstruction of justice in addition to the substantive child neglect charges she is already facing. The special grand jury also found that LaQuiche Parrott, director of Elementary Leadership at Richneck Elementary School, had suspicious lacks of memory regarding Zwerner's disciplinary file and one file was returned by Parrott but it lacked the student's disciplinary records while another was never found.
The report also noted that there were no Individualized Education Program (IEP) or alternative school placement options for the child despite instances of physical aggression and profanity. The $40M lawsuit against school officials is ongoing.
The special grand jury found glaring security lapses that led to the shooting and recommended a criminal investigation of a high-ranking Newport News School District official over the missing evidence.
Ebony Parker made a brief court appearance on charges related to her handling of the Jan. 6, 2023 shooting of first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner by her student.
Accuracy
The special grand jury report found glaring security lapses that led to the shooting and recommended a criminal investigation of a high-ranking Newport News School District official over the missing evidence.
Ebony Parker was charged with felony child abuse for her handling of the Jan. 6, 2023 shooting of first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner by her student.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that there will be a coverup investigation when no such investigation has been announced or confirmed by authorities. Secondly, the author's statement about 'lapses in security' being appalling and preventable contradicts their earlier reporting on this case which suggested otherwise. Thirdly, the article quotes Ebony Parker as saying she did not act on multiple warnings from teachers and other staff members that the boy had a gun on the day of the shooting, but it does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
The title implies there will be a coverup investigation when no such investigation has been announced or confirmed by authorities.
The author's statement about 'lapses in security' being appalling and preventable contradicts their earlier reporting on this case which suggested otherwise.
The article quotes Ebony Parker as saying she did not act on multiple warnings from teachers and other staff members that the boy had a gun on the day of the shooting, but it does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
Fallacies
(75%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses loaded language such as 'appalling' and 'preventable', which implies a strong moral judgment on the events that led to the shooting. Additionally, there is an emphasis on Parker being charged with felony child abuse despite not having any direct involvement in the shooting itself.
It was preventable. It should not have happened if folks had discharged their responsibility in an appropriate fashion.
The lapses in security were appalling and should not have happened
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The article by Jim Morrison and Justin Jouvenal discusses the investigation into a shooting at Virginia's Richneck Elementary School. The authors mention several individuals involved in the incident including teacher Abigail Zwerner, who was shot by a six-year-old student, Commonwealth Attorney Howard E. Gwynn, former assistant principal Ebony Parker and LaQuiche Parrott and Kevin Biniazan who were also mentioned as being involved.
The article mentions the involvement of teacher Abigail Zwerner in the shooting incident.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses several individuals involved in the Virginia Richneck Elementary School shooting including teacher Abigail Zwerner and former assistant principal Ebony Parker. Additionally, it mentions Commonwealth Attorney Howard E. Gwynn who is investigating the incident.
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of teacher Abigail Zwerner as they mention her name in the article.
The special grand jury report noted security and administrative failures leading up to the boy shooting Zwerner.
Zwerner's attorneys found a number of things appalling in what the special grand jury report uncovered, including missing files and discipline files for the shooter.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the attorneys are quoted as saying that they found a number of things appalling in what the special grand jury report uncovered. However, there is no evidence to suggest that anything was actually 'appalling' or out of line with standard practice. Secondly, both attorneys spoke about how this case could be a precedent for holding school officials responsible for what goes on during the school day. This statement implies that they are advocating for increased accountability and transparency in schools, but it is unclear if their position is genuine or simply an attempt to gain public support.
The attorneys spoke about how this case could be a precedent for holding school officials responsible for what goes on during the school day. This statement implies that they are advocating for increased accountability and transparency in schools, but it is unclear if their position is genuine or simply an attempt to gain public support.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the special grand jury report without providing any context or analysis of its findings. They also use inflammatory rhetoric when describing the actions of school officials as 'appalling' and 'thwarted'. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity in some statements made by attorneys, such as their allegations that there was a cover up which may be interpreted differently by different readers. The article also contains an example of dichotomous depiction when describing the actions of school officials as either clear and obvious or not taken at all.
The special grand jury report uncovered
the absence of a full time SRO at each school is shocking to me
people who sought protection were apparently thwarted by Principal Briana Foster-Newton (Foster) and Assistant Principal Dr. Ebony Parker, as each locked themselves in their office.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of bias in the reporting. The author uses language that dehumanizes Abby Zwerner and portrays her as a victim rather than an active participant in events leading up to her shooting. Additionally, the author quotes from sources who have not been named or identified, making it difficult to determine their credibility or potential biases.
The report noted security and administrative failures leading up to the boy shooting Zwerner.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses Abby Zwerner and her attorneys reacting to a grand jury report, which raises questions about their potential financial ties with the school administration or other parties involved in the shooting at Richneck Elementary School.
The article mentions that Zwerner's attorneys have been critical of school administrators and may be seeking damages for her injuries. This suggests a possible financial interest in the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the shooting.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Fox News Digital that LaQuiche Parrott, the director of Elementary Leadership at Richneck Elementary School could be charged with both criminal prosecution and civil liability for taking or destroying records related to a criminal investigation.
The special grand jury report into the Recheck school shooting on Thursday in Newport News, Va., brought up concerns about Parrott's suspicious lack of memory regarding the boy's disciplinary file. One file was returned by Parrott but it lacked the child's disciplinary records and another was never found.
Despite instances of physical aggression and profanity, the child was not given an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or considered for an alternative school placement.
Accuracy
The special grand jury report brought up concerns about Parrott's suspicious lack of memory regarding the boy's disciplinary file. One file was returned by Parrott but it lacked the child's disciplinary records and another was never found.
Ebony Parker, former Richneck assistant principal is facing charges of felony child neglect for showing a shocking lack of response to multiple warnings that the boy had a gun in the hours before he shot his first grade teacher Ally Zwerner.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that a criminal investigation into staff members at Richneck Elementary School will continue into the child's missing disciplinary files. However, this statement contradicts information provided later in the article which states that prosecutors are working to decipher how the student's disciplinary records disappeared and based on these facts of law if they believe somebody else needs to be charged, trust me when I tell you, they will be charged.
The author claims a criminal investigation into staff members at Richneck Elementary School will continue into the child’s missing disciplinary files. However this statement contradicts information provided later in the article which states that prosecutors are working to decipher how the student's disciplinary records disappeared and based on these facts of law if they believe somebody else needs to be charged, trust me when I tell you, they will be charged.
The author claims LaQuiche Parrott could be charged with both criminal prosecution and civil liability. However this statement is not supported by any evidence provided in the article.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article discusses the criminal investigation into staff members at Richneck Elementary School after a 6-year-old student shot his teacher. The author mentions that former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani believes LaQuiche Parrott, the director of Elementary Leadership, could be charged with both criminal prosecution and civil liability for taking or destroying records related to a criminal investigation. The article also discusses concerns about disciplinary files being missing and how this may have contributed to the shooting. Additionally, Attorney Diane Toscano mentions that there is evidence in the grand jury report of efforts by the school division to downplay disciplinary records prior to the shooting even taking place, and then hide them afterwards.
LaQuiche Parrott could be charged with obstruction of justice for taking or destroying records related to a criminal investigation.
Bias
(85%)
The article discusses the criminal investigation into staff members at Richneck Elementary School after a 6-year-old student shot his teacher. The author mentions that former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani believes LaQuiche Parrott, the director of Elementary Leadership, could be charged with both criminal prosecution and civil liability for taking or destroying records related to a criminal investigation. The article also discusses concerns about disciplinary files being missing and how this may have contributed to the shooting. Additionally, Attorney Diane Toscano mentions that there is evidence in the grand jury report of efforts by the school division to downplay disciplinary records prior to and after the shooting.
LaQuiche Parrott could be charged with obstruction of justice for taking or destroying records related to a criminal investigation.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of affirmative duty to protect students as they are reporting on a lawsuit against school officials for failing to provide adequate protection. The author also has a potential conflict of interest with LaQuiche Parrott and Abby Zwerner who were involved in the shooting incident.
The article mentions that Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is an attorney, which could indicate a financial or professional tie to the legal system. This raises concerns about her objectivity when reporting on legal matters.
Despite having been told that the student was in a violent mood and receiving several reports that he was carrying a firearm, the assistant principal turned down the school counselor's request for permission to search him.
The bullet passed through Ms. Zwerner's hand and struck her chest. The gun jammed after the first shot.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by describing the shooting as a 'shocking' series of lapses which implies that it was an unusual occurrence when in fact school shootings are not uncommon. Secondly, the author quotes one of the shooter's friends who said they tried to keep Ms. Zwerner safe, implying that she knew about the gun and could have prevented the shooting if she had acted on this information. However, there is no evidence in the report to suggest that Ms. Zwerner was aware of any danger or had received any warnings beforehand.
There is no evidence in the report to suggest that Ms. Zwerner was aware of any danger or had received any warnings beforehand.
The author uses sensationalism by describing the shooting as a 'shocking' series of lapses which implies that it was an unusual occurrence when in fact school shootings are not uncommon.
The author quotes one of the shooter's friends who said they tried to keep Ms. Zwerner safe, implying that she knew about the gun and could have prevented the shooting if she had acted on this information.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the grand jury found that the administrator had not acted on reports from staff members that the student was carrying a firearm. This statement implies that the grand jury's findings are authoritative and should be taken as fact, but this is not necessarily true. Additionally, there are several instances of inflammatory rhetoric used to describe the actions of both the administrator and other individuals involved in the incident.
The shooting was preceded by a shocking series of lapses by the school's assistant principal at the time
Despite having been told that same day that he was in a violent mood, and having received several reports that he was carrying a firearm, the assistant principal turned down a school counselor's request for permission to search him.
The bullet passed through her hand and struck her chest. The gun jammed after the first shot.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses the phrase 'shocking' to describe the lapses by the school administrator which implies a moral judgment that is not supported by evidence.
> A Virginia grand jury found that <br>the administrator had not acted on reports from staff members that <br>the 6-year-old had brought a firearm to Richneck Elementary.
Despite having been told that same day that the student was “in a violent mood,” and having received several reports that he was carrying a firearm, <br>the assistant principal turned down a school counselor’s request for permission to search the student.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author Mattathias Schwartz has a conflict of interest on the topic of Virginia school shooting as he is reporting for The New York Times which has its own agenda and biases. He also reports on topics related to Richneck Elementary School where the shooting took place, including teacher shot by 6-year-old student, assistant principal lapses in judgment , gun brought to school by first grader , shocking series of lapses led to shooting and Virginia grand jury which is a legal proceeding. The author also reports on Abigail Zwerner who was the victim of the shooting.
The article mentions that Richneck Elementary School, where the shooting took place, has been under scrutiny for its security measures since last year's incident. This suggests a potential conflict of interest as it may be difficult to report on this topic objectively while also being critical of the school.
The author reports on Abigail Zwerner who was shot by her classmate and mentions that she has been receiving counseling from a school counselor since the shooting. The article does not disclose if there is any conflict of interest between the assistant principal, teacher or other staff members involved in this incident.
