Legal Analysis By Attorneys
Breaking Legal News
Two people were killed and another wounded after a bar fight escalated into gunshots at the Cedar Inn on Sunday morning.
Stephenson County deputies responded to reports of a fight and shots fired at the bar at 4747 IL-26 in Freeport at around 1:50 a.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival, deputies found three victims with gunshot wounds. One person was pronounced dead at the scene and a second died after being transported to a hospital in Rockford. The third victim was brought to Freeport Memorial for treatment and their condition has not been released.
No names of the victims have been released at this time.
Police have announced that they have a suspect in custody. The deputies who first responded to the scene were also assisted by the Lena Police Department, the Freeport Police Department, Leamon’s Ambulance, Freeport City Ambulance, the Stephenson County Coroner’s Office, and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services.
Wondering “Can I sue for being shot?” attorney contributor Brian Kent helps shooting victims and their families seek answers and support in civil lawsuits. We’ve asked him to share some insight regarding the legal options available to those who have been affected by preventable bar shootings:
Owning a bar or nightclub involves many responsibilities, and the safety of the property, customers, and employees needs to be the top priority. Business owners and all other property owners have a legal obligation to ensure that their properties are free of foreseeable dangers that could end up causing injuries, illnesses, or death. In some cases, bar shootings may be considered a reasonably foreseeable violent crime. In the aftermath of a bar shooting, it’s important to determine if the bar owner was negligent in a way that failed to prevent the shooting – such as having inadequate security.
For example, a bar shooting might be considered reasonably foreseeable if there was a history of other violent incidents at the bar. In this type of case, the bar owner might be considered negligent if they failed to make efforts to improve safety – such as hiring security guards. In cases that involve negligence, the victims and their families may have grounds for a lawsuit against the bar owner.
If you or a loved one has been wounded or killed in a bar shooting, we understand the difficulties your family is facing. Our experienced crime victim attorneys want to help your family find justice and recover the financial compensation you deserve. To learn more about your legal options, contact us for a free consultation.
info@legalherald.com