A civil trial is set to begin in Galveston, Texas, involving a lawsuit filed by family members of victims of a 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School. The lawsuit accuses the parents of the shooter, a former student, of negligence for not securing the weapons used in the attack that resulted in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to 13 others.
The shooter, who was 17 at the time of the incident, has been charged with capital murder but has been declared incompetent to stand trial and is currently receiving treatment at a mental health facility. The lawsuit seeks financial liability from the shooter and his parents for the damages caused by the shooting, with the families of the victims pursuing at least $1 million in damages.
The lawsuit alleges that the shooter's parents were aware of his potential for violence and emotional distress but failed to take action to prevent the tragedy. It claims that the parents did not seek help for their son or secure the firearms he used during the shooting.
The trial, which could last up to three weeks, aims to provide justice for the victims and their families who have been waiting for closure as the criminal trial of the shooter has been delayed for years. The families settled their case against an online retailer accused of illegally selling ammunition to the shooter, who had purchased ammunition before the incident.
Similar lawsuits following mass shootings have resulted in significant awards, such as a $200 million verdict in a case related to a shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. The sentencing of parents in a Michigan school shooting case also highlights the legal consequences faced by individuals connected to such tragic events.
