EDWARDSVILLE – A Fasmart customer claims he was assaulted by employees in an alleged racially motivated attack.
Plaintiff Desmond Howard filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendants GPM Investments, LLC, Fasmart, Jennifer Johnson and Lorice Cooksey, citing negligence and battery.
According to the lawsuit, on Jan. 24, 2021, Howard was a patron at the Fasmart store in Hartford. He claims he was physically attacked by store employees, specifically Johnson and Cooksey. He alleges they also directed racist statements at him.
Howard claims he suffered bodily injuries that have impacted his ability to enjoy normal daily life and have caused him to experience pain, suffering, disfigurement and emotional distress. He adds that he has incurred medical costs and that he will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover from his injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by attorney Benedict Y. Song of Rosenblum, Schwartz and Fry, P.C. in Clayton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000073