Meehan
A man claims he was shot while attempting to visit an East St. Louis convenience store.
Darnell L. Sims filed a lawsuit Sept. 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Crown Mart 10.
In his complaint, Sims claims he was visiting the East St. Louis Crown Mart in an attempt to buy cigarettes and a beverage on June 3. Suddenly, while Sims exited the convenience store, he was wounded by gunshots of nearby gunfire, according to the complaint.
Because of the incident, Sims suffered a fractured right arm, sustained disfigurement and incurred medical costs of more than $50,000, the suit states.
He blames Crown Mart for contributing to his injuries, saying the convenience store negligently failed to provide an adequately trained security guard force, failed to devise a security plan that would protect Sims and failed to warn of dangerous conditions on its premises, among other negligent acts.
Crown Mart should have known of the danger of violence at its facility because its store was the site of frequent violent crimes. In addition, its late-night hours attracted crowds who were likely to harm others, the complaint says.
In his complaint, Sims seeks an unspecified judgment.
William K. Meehan of Meehan Law Firm in University City will be representing him.
At least two other lawsuits have been filed against Crown Mart over shooting incidents. Two cases were filed months ago over separate shooting incidents in 2010.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-473.