Woman shot in face while singing karaoke sues

A woman claims she was shot in the face by an intoxicated patron who was removed from a Granite City bar.

Nina Adams filed a lawsuit Jan. 30 in Madison County Circuit Court against Darrell G. Buettner, Inn Between Taverns, Larry G. Lowe, Luna Properties II and Larry Wofford.

In her complaint, Adams alleges she was shot in the head while singing karaoke inside the Luna Cafe on Feb. 4, 2011. The bullet that struck Adams had been discharged from Buettner's gun as he was standing outside the bar, according to the complaint.

Immediately before he fired the shot, Buettner had been escorted from the Luna Cafe to its parking lot, the suit states.

"After being moved from inside the tavern building to outside the tavern building, Darrell G. Buettner, from outside the tavern building, intentionally aimed and discharged a firearm in the direction of the aforementioned Luna Cafe tavern building with the intention of harming individuals inside of the tavern building," the complaint says.

Because of the attack, Adams claims she sustained severe and permanent injuries, suffered great pain and anguish and incurred medical costs.

Adams blames the bars for allowing Buettner to shoot her, saying they negligently failed to contact police to remove Buettner from the facility, failed to remove Buettner from the parking lot and areas near the bar and failed to employ necessary security personnel to protect against intoxicated patrons.

In her 10-count complaint, Adams seeks a judgment of more than $350,000, plus other relief the court deems just.

Brad G. Pelc of Pelc Law Office in Belleville will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-129.