TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The family of a man who was murdered at a Tara Food & Beverage Mart in Lakeland, Fla., is claiming a lack of security measures.
Tangela Williams, as personal representative of the Estate of Demetrius Wilson, deceased, and on behalf of the survivors of Demetrius Wilson, filed a complaint June 8 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against Tampa Acquisitions Inc., Tara Food & Beverage Mart LLC, doing business as Memorial Mobil, and Automated Petroleum and Energy Company, alleging negligence and other claims.
Wilson, according to the plaintiff's complaint, was murdered on July 4, 2021, by a third party in front of his girlfriend while at the Tara Food & Beverage Mart in Lakeland. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants' agents and employees knew or should have known their premises was in a "high crime area" with previous criminal activity such as shootings, aggravated assaults, rapes and robberies, yet failed to take steps to provide proper security on the premises.
The plaintiff also alleges the defendants failed to warn patrons of the danger and failed to patrol or monitor the premises to protect patrons, invitees and the public. The plaintiff claims the defendants also failed to have proper lighting on the premises, failed to hire and retain competent security guards and did not have surveillance cameras throughout the premises. She alleges the defendants negligently failed to have physical access barriers or fences around the property.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief of more than. $50,000, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Josiah Graham of The Graham Injury Law Firm PA in Fort Lauderdale.
113th Judicial Circuit Court Hillsborough County case number 174869852