A man was fatally shot outside of El Rinconcito Bar and Grill on Monday and deputies believe armed security guards were involved.
Police received reports of a shooting at the bar on East Colonial Drive at around 4:15 a.m. on February 18. Deputies responded to the scene and discovered a man in a gray vehicle who was suffering a gunshot wound to the head. He was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center. A female passenger in that vehicle was unharmed.
According to the authorities, they ascertained that the shooting occurred at El Rinconcito and later determined that armed security guards were involved in the shooting. At this time, it is not clear how they were involved or if there will be criminal charges. Deputies issued a search warrant at the bar and restaurant on Monday afternoon.
Monday's shooting is the second one to happen in front of El Rinconcito in the past year. In Anjalih 2018, two men were shot and several bullet holes were found on the outside wall of the business and a car windshield parked out front.
In a story by ClickOrlando.com, several neighbors said violent incidents are common at the bar.
Attorney contributor Michael Haggard represents victims of preventable crimes in civil lawsuits. We've asked him to briefly discuss bar owner liability for shootings, stabbings, and other violent incidents on their properties:
Maintaining safety is a key responsibility for all property owners. These property owners must do all that they can to ensure that their premises are free of foreseeable dangers that could end up hurting visitors. This includes providing reasonable protections against the risk of foreseeable violent crime. After a bar or nightclub shooting, it's important to determine if the property owner did all that they could to prevent violence.
For example, let's say a shooting happened at a bar with a history of other violent incidents. Even after the previous violence, ownership failed to attempt to improve safety through measures like hiring security guards or installing metal detectors at entrances. In this case, the shooting victims and their families may have grounds for a lawsuit against the property owner for inadequate security.
Determining bar owner liability for a specific case is a complicated process which will require the expertise of an experienced crime victim attorney. If you or a loved one has been wounded or killed in a shooting at a bar or nightclub, we advise discussing your family's legal options with an attorney.
Taking legal action can help provide financial support for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs, and pain and suffering and can demand accountability from negligent property owners who fail to keep their customers safe.