On September 14, 2024, a Saturday evening at the Citrus Park Town Center Mall in Tampa, Florida, turned tragic when 16-year-old Peter Hyman Jr. was fatally shot outside the Red Robin restaurant. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 7:16 p.m., finding the teenager with a gunshot wound to his upper body.
Despite being rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital, Peter, affectionately known as "PJ," succumbed to his injuries.
According to investigators, the shooting stemmed from an altercation between two groups of boys earlier that day. When the boys encountered each other again outside the mall after the earlier incident, a fight broke out, which ultimately lead to the shooting.
Understanding Negligent Security in Mall Settings
This incident raises important questions about security measures in public spaces like shopping malls. Negligent security claims can arise when property owners fail to provide adequate protection for visitors against foreseeable criminal acts.
Shopping malls, as high-traffic public spaces, face unique security challenges. They are designed to be open and welcoming, yet they must also ensure the safety of thousands of visitors daily. The concept of negligent security in mall settings revolves around the legal obligation of property owners to take reasonable steps to protect patrons from foreseeable harm.
Negligent security claims in mall settings often hinge on whether the property owner knew or should have known about potential security risks and whether they took appropriate action to mitigate these risks. This can include addressing known crime patterns in the area, responding to previous incidents on the property, or implementing industry-standard security measures.
Key Aspects of Mall Security
Malls are open to the public and welcome guests onto the property. Accordingly, malls should provide adequate security to protect guests and patrons and to prevent violent crime when such crime is foreseeable. Below are some more basic types of security one might expect at a mall:
- Surveillance Systems: Malls should generally have comprehensive camera coverage of all public areas.
- Security Personnel: Trained guards should be present and visible to deter crime on the property
- Lighting: Adequate illumination in parking lots and exterior areas is crucial to ensuring the safety of guests on the property.
- Access Control: Measures to monitor and control entry points can deter criminal activity.
- Emergency Response Protocols: Clear procedures for handling and reporting incidents are essential in the event of a violent crime on the property.
Liability Considerations in Mall Negligent Security Cases
In situations where people are victims of violent crime, several factors may be examined to determine if the mall could be held liable:
- History of criminal activity in the area
- Adequacy of existing security measures
- Response time to the incident
- Training of security personnel
- Implementation of safety protocols
Potential Damages in Tampa Negligent Security Cases
Victims' families in Tampa negligent security cases may be entitled to compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
- Lost future earnings
Contact a Negligent Security Attorney for a Free Consultation 📞
If you or a loved one has been a victim of violent crime at a shopping mall or any commercial property, it's crucial to understand your legal rights. An experienced negligent security attorney can evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process.
Contact our office at 321-LAWSUIT for a free consultation to discuss your situation and explore options for seeking justice and compensation. We operate on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you get paid.
