Courtesy: al.com
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A 23-year-old Montgomery man severely injured in the multiple shooting Dec. 28 at Centennial Bar & Grill has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the bar and security company seeking compensation for his medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Keldric Landon is currently undergoing surgery in a Montgomery hospital for injuries he sustained in the shooting that killed three people, his attorney, Michael Strickland, of Montgomery said. He filed the suit in Montgomery County today.
Strickland said his client is expected to recover from his injuries, but he may suffer some permanent damage. These lasting injuries could prevent him from taking a position as a corrections officer with the Alabama Department of Corrections for which he was recently hired.
The suit claims the defendants, The Flight LLC doing business as Centennial Hill Bar & Grill, its owner Nicole Bankhead and an unidentified company that provided security at the bar, were negligent or reckless and caused or contributed to Landon being injured.
Rapper Glenn Thomas, 22, known as Doe B., and Kimberle Johnson, a 22-year-old Troy University student, were fatally shot in the club in the early the morning hours of Dec. 28. Timnorius Hamilton, 20, died from his injuries on Jan. 3. Five others were wounded and were hospitalized in stable condition.
Montgomery police have charged Darius Thomas, 25, and Jason McWilliams, 25, both of Montgomery with three counts of capital murder in connection with the shooting.
Strickland said Landon had only been to the bar once before, when it was the Rose Supper Club, when he entered the night of Dec. 27 with two female companions.
According to the complaint, the bar had limited access to persons over the age of 25 and was supposed to close by midnight. None of these things actually were enforced, though, alleges the suit.
The complaint also alleges the murder suspects paid off bar security so they could enter with firearms.
Strickland said Landon was standing near Doe B. when he was shot.
“His back was to the stage where Doe B. was and he heard the shooting,” he said. (Landon) was talking to two girls and he bear hugged them and was hit and did realize (it).”
Landon is asking for a monetary judgment for his injuries and damages including, but not limited to, pain, suffering, personal injury, medical bills, medical expenses, lost income and loss of enjoyment of life, according to the suit.
The city of Montgomery and Montgomery County Commission also were put on notice, but have not been named in the suit, Strickland said.
The Rose Supper Club/Top Flight was previously closed by the City of Montgomery due to a shooting on Dec. 3, 2012. The club later reopened with a different owner and different name.
Following last month’s fatal shooting, the city of Montgomery closed the bar and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board stripped it of its liquor license.
Since the shooting, residents have petitioned the city to not let the club reopen and to have the building demolished.
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