Two people were shot at Pennison's Sports Pub in Sugar Land early Wednesday morning. Police say the shooting occurred after a fight at the bar on Settler's Way and Highway 6. Officers were called to the scene at around 1 a.m.
One of the victims was struck in the leg and was hospitalized for treatment. The other victim's leg was grazed by a bullet and received treatment at the scene of the crime. Both victims are expected to survive.
32-year-old Christopher Jolly has been charged with aggravated assault in connection with the shooting.
Attorney contributor Anjali Nigam represents crime victims and their families in civil lawsuits. We've asked Anjali to share some of his thoughts on the legal options available to bar shooting victims and their families:
Bar owners have many responsibilities, but safety should always be the most important one. These business owners have a duty to keep their customers, employees, and other visitors reasonably safe from preventable violent crime by having adequate security standards in place. In the aftermath of a bar or nightclub shooting, it's important to determine if the shooting could have been prevented by better security standards.
For example, if the bar where the shooting occurred had a history of violence but ownership made no safety improvements, such as hiring security guards, the bar owner could possibly be considered negligent for failing to prevent the shooting. In cases involving bar owner negligence, bar shooting victims and their families may have a case for a lawsuit.
Have you or someone you love been wounded or killed in a bar shooting? You can learn more about your legal options and how your family can find justice by speaking to an experienced crime victim attorney.