Legal Analysis By Attorneys
Breaking Legal News
A man was fatally shot at Cock Island Bar and Grille early Tuesday morning, prompting speculation that the troubled business could lose its liquor license. The bar had a sign posted on Tuesday afternoon which said that the bar is closed until further notice.
Portsmouth police officers responded to reports of a shooting at the bar located on Airline Boulevard shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Responding officers discovered a man who was suffering from an upper body gunshot wound. Medics pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Another man was shot in the arm in the area of a nearby 7-Eleven store, but it is not clear if that was from the same incident. That man left before police arrived and eventually went to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
ABC investigators also went to the scene. They have 48 hours to decide if they will suspend Cock Island’s liquor license.
Tuesday morning’s shooting is one of three that have happened at Cock Island Bar and Grill in less than 2 years.
In October of 2018, a man was seriously wounded during a shooting outside of the bar. Another man was wounded in a shooting there in April of 2017.
According to an article by Wavy 10 News, Portsmouth Police say they’ve been called to the bar 19 times over the past year for incidents like stolen cars, fights, and gunshots.
Attorney contributor Kevin Biniazin is a former prosecutor who now represents crime victims in civil lawsuits, helping them secure the financial compensation they deserve. We’ve asked him to add some thoughts on the legal options available to bar shooting victims and their families:
Bar owners and all other types of property owners have a legal obligation to keep their properties safe from reasonably foreseeable violent crime. When a bar shooting happens, it’s important to determine if the bar owner met this legal obligation. In some cases, these shootings only occur through negligence, such as inadequate security. Cases of negligence may result in liability for the bar owner if the victims and their families file a personal injury lawsuit against a business for shooting.
For example, if a bar had a history of violent incidents but ownership failed to make efforts to improve safety and a shooting happens, the bar owner may be considered negligent.
If you or a loved one has recently become a victim of a bar shooting, we understand how painful and difficult this time is for your family. To learn more about how you can find justice through the legal system, consider contacting one of our experienced crime victim attorneys for a free consultation.
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