The Legal Chronicle
Walter Wood Loses Life in Phoenix, AZ Bar Shooting, One Other Person Injured. (AZfamily.com)
Could the shooting at a Phoenix bar have been prevented and are justice and compensation available to the victim’s family and injured victim? Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.
Local News
Gunfire rang out at a Phoenix, AZ bar late Friday night, February 19, 2021, leaving one person dead and one person injured.
As reported by AZfamily.com, “[o]ne man is dead and a second is recovering after a shooting at a bar near 16th Street and Southern Avenue in Phoenix late Friday night…it happened around 10:15 p.m.”
AZcentral.com is reporting, when officers arrived “[t]hey found 32-year-old Walter Wood at the scene with gunshot wounds. Officers attempted to administer first aid before paramedics arrived, but Wood was pronounced dead.”
According to the report, “[o]fficers discovered that a second victim, a 34-year-old man, also had been shot during the fight.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Our Legal Take
FORMER CLIENT: I had lawyers calling me, and friends telling me who I should hire…I trusted in The Murray Law Firm and I’m glad I did.
Bar and restaurant patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises they are visiting. The level of security provided at the bar 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?
- Does the bar have a protocol to check guests for deadly weapons prior to entering the establishment?
- 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?
- Was the bar aware of any suspicious activity prior to 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 bar owner or management lacked adequate security to protect its visitors, the family of Walter Wood 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 and suffering.
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 of the property 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 Walter Wood and any injured victims retain a capable law firm who will work without delay to protect their interests.
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The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have obtained over $100 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.
We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
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