Phillipsburg, New Jersey - Steven Margeson Wounded in Shooting at Hilltop Cafe

Phillipsburg Police Department Investigating Shooting at Hilltop Cafe

Police in Phillipsburg, NJ are investigating a shooting that left one man wounded outside of the Hilltop Cafe early Friday morning, September 14. At around 1:32 a.m., an officer on patrol was notified of a shooting that occurred outside of the cafe near Hudson and Lewis Streets. An investigation at the scene revealed that a suspect, who’s been described as a short, black male, fled the bar on foot.

Investigators determined that a friend transported the victim, Steven Margeson, to Easton Hospital in his personal vehicle. Margeson was sent to surgery for treatment of gunshot wounds to the torso. No further information has been released regarding his condition.

The gunman remains unidentified and is still at large. The Phillipsburg Police Department and the Major Crimes Unit of Warren County are working together on this investigation.

Can Bar Owners Be Sued For Shootings On Their Property?

Attorney contributor Brian Kent has experience representing the interests of violent crime victims. Here is some input from him into bar owner liability for shootings and other violent incidents on their property:

Bar owners and all other property owners have a legal duty to keep their properties safe from foreseeable dangers. This applies to accident hazards such as slippery floors, as well as foreseeable violent crime. While not all violent crime is foreseeable, many incidents may have been preventable if it weren’t for negligent or inadequate security at the scene of the crime.

Shooting victims and their families often ask, “Can I sue for being shot?”

The victims of violent crime and the families of those killed by violence suffer a variety of personal, emotional, and financial difficulties. Taking legal action against a third party who failed to prevent the crime can help provide a sense of justice, along with the financial compensation these families need for damages related to the injuries or deaths suffered. If you or someone you love has recently become the victim of a violent crime in a bar or nightclub, you can learn more about your legal options by speaking with an experienced crime victim lawyer.