The Legal Chronicle
Lenis Zelaya Fatally Injured in Houston, TX Nightclub Shooting; Three Others Injured. (Fox26Houston.com)
Could the shooting at a Houston nightclub have been prevented and are justice and compensation available to the victim’s family and injured victims? Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.
Local News
Gunfire rang out at a Houston, TX nightclub parking lot early Friday morning, January 8, 2022, leaving one man dead and three other people injured.
As reported by Click2Houston.com, “[the shooting] happened at [a nightclub] located in the 7100 block of Clarewood Drive near the Southwest Freeway on the morning of Jan. 8.”
According to the report, “a fight broke out inside the nightclub, at which time, the DJ stopped playing music and several people were escorted out of the building. That is when [the suspect] began firing with a gun using a Glock key, which converts a semi-automatic to a fully-automatic handgun.”
Fox26Houston.com is reporting, “[the suspect] is accused of killing Lenis Zelaya. The 29-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. An 18-year-old female and two male victims, both 41 years of age, were transported to area hospitals in stable conditions.”
The suspect has been identified but no arrest has been made.
The shooting remains under investigation.
Our Legal Take
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Nightclub and parking lot patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises they are visiting. The level of security provided at the property is of significance, and is a relevant consideration when analyzing whether this shooting may have been prevented. The following questions are also important in assessing whether this incident may have been avoided:
- Have prior incidents of violence been reported on or near the property?
- Was there any suspicious activity or suspicious people on the property prior to the shooting.
- What security measures, such as bright lighting, visible surveillance cameras, and security personnel, were in place to deter crime and protect the victim at the time of the shooting?
Property owners are generally required to protect against foreseeable harm to anyone and everyone legally on the premises. Should the investigation into this incident reveal facts that establish that the property owner or management lacked adequate security to protect its visitors, the family of Lenis Zelaya may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for their loss. in addition, any injured victims may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for their injuries.
The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, and suggests that an immediate, unbiased inspection and investigation will need to be performed so as to limit evidence from being altered, damaged or destroyed. The complexities of pursuing a negligent security case are well understood by the legal team at The Murray Law Firm, and it is imperative that the family of Lenis Zelaya and any injured victims retain a capable law firm who will work without delay to protect their interests.
OUR RESULTS: OVER $125 MILLION IN VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS FOR OUR CLIENTS
The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have obtained over $125 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including:
- A $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property.
- Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a victim of gun violence at an apartment complex.
- Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a family who lost a loved one to gun violence at a commercial property.
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