Woodbridge, VA - One Injured in Shooting Inside Fashion Mechanics at the Potomac Mills Mall

Mall Shooting Leaves One Injured 

According to ABC 7, a man was shot inside the Fashion Mechanics store inside the Potomac Mills Mall located at 2700 Potomac Mills Cir, Woodbridge, VA 22192. 

At around 3:09 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2021, a man was shot following an argument with another man inside the retail store. Police reported that a physical fight ended when one pulled out a gun and fired it multiple times at the victim. The victim was struck in his lower body and taken to the hospital for treatment. 

The shooter left the scene before police arrived. An investigation is still underway for any leads to their identity. 

Can I File a Lawsuit for Being Shot in a Mall? 

Attorney contributor Kevin Biniazan is a gun crime attorney who represents shooting victims and their families in civil lawsuits. Recently, we sat down with Kevin and discussed if shooting victims can sue for being shot in a mall. 

"Commercial property owners, including malls and retail stores, are legally responsible for making sure their properties are safe for their customers, tenants, and staff. This legal obligation includes protecting against preventable violent crimes, such as shootings. These safety measures are to reduce the risk of violence as much as possible. Mall property owners can install video monitoring cameras and sufficient lighting throughout the property. Additionally, they can have hired security patrolling at all times. Failure to offer these security measures can lead to the property owner being accountable for injuries sustained on the property, including gunshot wounds."

"When a shooting occurs in a mall, an investigation will help to identify and charge a suspect. In some cases, the property should also be investigated to determine if it had sufficient security at the time of the crime. In some instances, a shooting could have been prevented if the mall owner had not neglected its property security."

For example, the property owner could be considered negligent for failing to improve security if there was a history of previous violence. Increased security could include additional security guards and even metal detectors. In cases of negligence, shooting victims and their families may have reasons to pursue a lawsuit against the mall owner. Victims can determine their best course of legal action under the counsel of an experienced gun crime attorney."

Sources: 

ABC 7