Taunton, Massachusetts - Man Stabbed in Parking Lot of Sunoco Gas Station

Man Injured in Carjacking and Stabbing at Taunton Sunoco

CBS Boston reports that around 10 p.m. on Sunday a man was stabbed and carjacked at the Taunton Sunoco located at 231 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780. A 53-year-old Taunton resident was stabbed multiple times by 29-year-old Ryan O'Day following an altercation outside the gas station. When the police arrived, the victim was visibly bloody and unstable and was immediately transported to the Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton. His injuries were not life-threatening.

Since the attack, O'Day has been charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and carjacking. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Can Owners of Gas Stations Be Responsible For Violent Crime on Their Properties?

Attorney contributor Kim Dougherty represents criminal violence victims and their families in civil lawsuits. Ms. Dougherty aims to restore justice to victims when opposing parties have acted negligently.

Ms. Dougherty shared, "Commercial property owners are obligated by law to ensure the safety of its patrons. To do this, property owners typically must provide some form of adequate security on their premises. This level of security includes, but is not limited to, video surveillance and security guards on site. When a property owner fails to offer its customers adequate security, a victim of a violent crime may be able to bring a lawsuit against the owner."

"To be clear, however, a victim of a shooting or stabbing cannot raise a lawsuit against a property owner on the grounds of adequate security alone. The victim must be able to prove that the violent crime he or she suffered was reasonably foreseeable by the owner. So if the owner of a gas station knows that his or her property is located within a hotspot for shootings and other crime, he or she must offer adequate security to protect its customers. If the owner does not provide the adequate security, then he or she may be held liable for the victim's injuries because the crime was reasonably foreseeable given the area's track record of violence."

If you or someone you love has been affected by similar circumstances it is important that you reach out to an experienced crime victim attorney to weigh your legal options.

Sources:

https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/07/08/taunton-sunoco-stabbing-carjacking-ryan-oday/