Fort Lauderdale, FL - Security Guard and Innocent Bystander Shot at Booze Garden

Florida Bar Shooting Leaves Two Injured

According to Local 10, there was a shooting at the Booze Garden located at 111-A SW 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. 

Police responded to the shooting just before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the Riverwalk’s Himmarshee Village. They found two men with gunshot wounds in their legs when they arrived. Allegedly a man approached the bar on a bicycle and said something to the bar's security guard before shooting him in the leg. Police believe the bullet went through the guard's leg and hit the other victim. They were both taken to the hospital for treatment but have since been released.

The shooter was able to flee the scene before police arrived, but officials are still investigating what led up to the shooting. 

Can a Bar Be Held Liable for Shooting Injuries? 

Michael Haggard, our attorney contributor, has years of experience representing bar shooting victims in civil law. Michael recently sat down with us to answer the frequently asked question, Can a bar be held liable for shooting injuries? 

"Owners of bars and lounges are required by law to ensure that their establishments are reasonably secure. This legal requirement includes providing security on the property to reduce the risk of violent crimes, such as shootings and stabbings. The bar owner should have certain measures in place, such as working security cameras, proper lighting, and professional security personnel, to help safeguard the patrons and employees."

"A criminal investigation will be conducted if a bar shooting occurs. However, the bar's security should be examined to see if sufficient measures were in place at the time of the occurrence. Too often, bar shooting may have been avoided if the bar owner had provided enough security or taken other precautions. For example, the owner could be held liable for failing to improve security following previous acts of violence on the property or in the neighborhood. By adding more security guards and conducting weapons searches, the bar owner could have averted the violence. Victims should speak with an experienced gunshot victim lawyer to learn more about their legal options."

Sources:

 Local 10