TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The owner of a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Tampa is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a guest who was the son of an employee was shot to death in the parking lot.
Jennifer Hadley, as representative of the Estate of Elijah Polite, filed suit June 6 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against Bre Select Hotels Properties, alleging staff at the Fairfield Inn were aware a man had been harassing guests but did not take action.
The man, Michael Godfrey Evans, was charged with second-degree murder a year ago.
"There were several guests at the front desk that were able to identify the assailant as he had been harassing some of the guests in the lobby/front desk beforehand and was arguing with his girlfriend who also worked at the hotel," the suit says.
"The defendants had actual constructive knowledge of this imminent danger, as they were aware of the assailant's inappropriate behavior and conduct and did nothing to prevent it or call the police."
Jennifer Hadley finished her shift at 3 p.m. on May 17, 2021, at the front desk of the hotel. She stayed in the hotel because she had to work the early shift the next day. Polite had also rented a room and was sitting in his car that evening.
Police say Evans was in a jealous rage when he shot Polite, whom he had never met. The plaintiff is represented by Russomanno & Borrello.