Chico, CA - Fernando Palomares Charged in the Shooting Death of Young Woman in Centerfolds Nightclub Parking Lot

Young Woman Fatally Shot in Nightclub Parking Lot

According to Action News Now, a woman was shot in the Centerfolds gentlemen's nightclub parking lot located at 15430 CA-99, Chico, CA 95973. 

Moments before 11:36 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2021, a woman was shot and killed in the nightclub's parking lot. Police have arrested 29-year-old Fernando Palomares as the suspected shooter. According to the investigation, the woman arrived at the nightclub with her friend and Palamares, her friend's boyfriend. Footage showed Palomares entering and exiting the nightclub many times before the three walked to the parking lot at around 10:36 p.m. The victim's friend reported to the nightclub clerk that the victim had been shot and to call 911. Police arrived to find the victim had died from her gunshot wounds.

Palomares, who had run from the scene before his girlfriend reported her being shot, was apprehended seven miles from the nightclub early Friday morning. He was on parole after being convicted of a stabbing in 2013. He is facing murder charges for the young woman's death. 

Legal Options for Families of Nightclub Shooting Deaths

Attorney contributor Bobby Thompson is a shooting victim attorney who represents nightclub shooting victims and their families in civil lawsuits in California. Recently, we sat down with Bobby to discuss the legal options available to families of victims shot and killed in bar and nightclub shootings. He also highlighted when a nightclub could be held liable for the deaths of those shot in the parking lot. 

"Too often, bars and gentlemen's nightclubs are at a higher risk for violent crime due to alcohol consumption. For this reason, nightclub owners have a heavy burden to keep their property security maintained. This legal obligation may include security monitoring cameras, sufficient lighting, and trained security personnel. These measures should be in place to reduce the risk of preventable violence such as shootings. If a nightclub is negligent when it comes to the property's security, they could be held responsible in a civil lawsuit."

"Victims injured and families of those killed in nightclub shootings have the legal right to inquire if the property's security was adequate at the time of the crime. If the area or nightclub were known to have an uptick in criminal activity, the nightclub owner would be responsible for expanding its security. This might include conducting coat checks, installing metal detectors, or hiring additional security personnel. In the event of a foreseeable crime where the property owner failed to increase their security, families could have grounds to pursue a lawsuit against the negligent nightclub owner.

"Victims and their families should seek legal representation from an experienced shooting victim attorney to learn more about their rights to pursue a civil lawsuit. Many times nightclub shooting victims and the families of those killed in nightclub shootings may be entitled to compensation. "

Sources:

Action News Now