Columbia, MO - Mass Shooting Outside Vibez Lounge Leaves At Least Five Injured and Suspect Dead

Mass Shooting Outside a Lounge Leaves Five Injured 

The Kansas City Star has reported that a mass shooting took place outside the Vibez lounge at 19 N 5th St, Columbia, MO 65201. 

At around 3 a.m. early Sunday, November 14, 2021, two suspected gunmen began firing into a crowd injuring at least five victims. Police exchanged shots with the suspects, killing one as the other fled the scene. The five victims have been confirmed to be in stable condition. 

ABC 17 was told by the Missouri Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Tobacco Control that the lounge had a history of failing to close at the designated time of 1:30 a.m. per their license agreement. In 2018, the lounge had its bar's license suspended for five days due to non-compliance. They also reported that at least two of the four shootings at the lounge in the past two months resulted in victims being injured by gunfire. 

Can Victims of Lounge Shootings File Lawsuits?

Attorney contributor Reed Martin represents bar shooting victims and their families, helping them get the financial compensation they deserve. Recently, Reed has shared some of insight on the legal rights for victims of lounge shootings to file lawsuits against negligent owners. 

"Bars and lounges are often plagued with a reputation for having a higher rate of crime. It is the responsibility of a bar or lounge owner to maintain a level of preventative security measures to reduce these violent crime incidents, like shootings. If a shooting occurs on the lounge property and people are injured or killed, law enforcement should thoroughly investigate the crime. However, simply identifying and arresting any suspects is only part of the investigation. It is crucial to examine the property's security measures to best determine if additional property security could have prevented the shooting."

"Many times, crimes may not have happened if not for inadequate security. If a shooting is found to be the result of a lounge owner's property security negligence, the owner may be held liable in a civil lawsuit. Victims and their families can learn more about their legal rights by consulting an experienced crime victim lawyer."

Sources:

The Kansas City Star

ABC 17