Police in Nacogdoches are investigating a nightclub shooting that left two people wounded early Saturday morning, September 1. The shooting occurred around 1:15 a.m. at Club Kamioz at 1017 E. Main Street. Police were called on reports of shots being fired in the area. After arriving at the club, officers found that at least one gunman had shot two victims and fled the scene.
Both victims were brought to hospitals by a private vehicle and both were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
No further information regarding the circumstances of the shooting has been released and no suspects have been arrested in this case. An investigation is ongoing.
Attorney contributor Anjali Nigam would like to add his perspective on third-party liability for shootings and other violent incidents in bars and nightclubs:
Many questions arise when violence breaks out in a public place and innocent people are injured or killed. Obviously, finding and prosecuting the perpetrator is the first priority. But it's also important to ask if anything more could have been done to prevent the violence and related injuries or loss of life.
Club owners, like all other property owners, have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. When a preventable danger results in an injury or death to a visitor, that property owner could potentially be held liable if the victim (or their family) decides to file a lawsuit.
In some cases, violent incidents like shootings and stabbings may be considered preventable. An example would be a lack of security at a bar with a history of shootings and stabbings. In this situation, a bar owner could reduce the risk of violent crime through improved security measures, such as hiring security guards and searching customers for weapons before they enter the bar.
If you're curious about your legal options after you or a loved one has become the victim of violent crime in a bar or nightclub, we advise discussing your case with an experienced crime victim lawyer.