CHICAGO — A lawsuit has been filed against a North Lawndale business following a mass shooting last Halloween weekend that left 15 people wounded.
Filed on behalf of victims, the law offices of Alesky Belcher accuses the venue, Studio 1258, and the security firm reatined for the party, Fearless Protection LLC, for allegedly ignoring several red flags that could have kept patrons safe.
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Attorneys also claim there were no valid licenses for serving alcohol or holding a party at the West Side venue. As such, the suit also blames the defendants of contributing to the intoxication of the alleged shooter.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the plaintiffs’ injuries.
“The party hosts’ blatant disregard for public safety is appalling,” said attorney Bryant M. Greening. “Despite a known history of unlicensed alcohol parties and city-issued citations, they continued to operate, creating an environment that tragically escalated into a mass shooting,” Greening said. “Our clients trusted the hosts and security company to ensure their safety, and that trust was callously betrayed.”
According to police, in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, around 100 people were gathered inside Studio 1258 when someone was thrown out of the party. According to police, the partygoer then allegedly returned to the scene with a gun and opened fire.
Ultimately, 48-year-old William Groves was charged in connection with the shooting. He faces 15 counts of attempted first degree murder, 15 felony counts of aggravated battery with discharge of a firearm, one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and one felony count of aggravated discharge of a firearm in an occupied building.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson went on to condemn the violence and called for gun reform.
