BELLEVILLE — A night club is facing a suit alleging it failed to provide proper security, which resulted in the shooting death of one of its patrons.
Tina Crumble, as special administrator for Rodnathan Crumble, deceased, filed a complaint April 1 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against RCI Hospitality Holdings Inc., doing business as Club Onyx, Centerville Entertainment LLC, Charles Westlund LLC, doing business as Club Onyx, and Charles Westlund, alleging negligence and wrongful death.
The plaintiff alleges that on April 2, 2019, Rodnathan Crumble was an invitee at Club Onyx when a "physical altercation and disturbance" erupted. During the altercation, Crumble was allegedly shot by an "unknown third party" and died.
The plaintiff claims the owners of the club knew or should have known about the prior violent crimes and assaults taking place on its premises, which is located in a "high crime area." She claims the defendants failed to provide "reasonable security" or video surveillance on the premises and also failed to have "adequate weapons control" on the premises. She also claims the defendants failed to "timely address" the altercation to prevent escalation and failed to warn its customers of the danger from "criminal assaults."
The plaintiff seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Stephen Buser of The Law Office of Stephen Buser LTD in Columbia and James Corrigan of O'Leary, Shelton, Corrigan, Peterson, Dalton & Quillin LLC in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 21-L-0307