The Legal Herald
Jonathan Bishu, Trevis Bellard, and Nadia Kassa: Justice for Families? Fatally Injured in Seattle, WA Hookah Bar Shooting; Six Others Injured. (SeattleTimes.com)
Did negligent security contribute to the shooting at a Seattle bar and are justice and compensation available to the victims families and injured victims? Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.
LOCAL NEWS
A shooting at a Seattle bar early Sunday morning, Aug 20, 2023 left three people dead and six others injured.
As reported by SeattleTimes.com, “[o]fficers responded to reports of a shooting at [a hookah lounge], on the 2200 block of Rainier Avenue South, just before 4:30 a.m.”
According to the report, “[w]hen [officers] arrived, they found three people — two men and a woman — inside and outside the lounge who had been shot.”
WSAV.com is reporting, “[a] 22-year-old man and a 33-year-old man died at the scene, and a 30-year-old woman died at Harborview Medical Center.” Per the report, “[o]f the six people wounded, a 23-year-old man was in critical condition and the other five were in satisfactory condition…They ranged in age from 21 to 38.”
According to SeattleTimes.com, “Jonathan Bishu, 22, Trevis Bellard, 32, and Nadia Kassa, 30, all died from multiple gunshot wounds in the shooting.”
The investigation is ongoing.
IS JUSTICE AVAILABLE? OUR LEGAL TAKE
FORMER CLIENT: I had lawyers calling me, and friends telling me who I should hire…I trusted in The Murray Law Firm and I’m glad I did.
Bar patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises. The level of security provided at the property is of significance, and is a relevant consideration when analyzing whether this shooting may have been prevented. The following questions are also important in assessing whether this incident may have been avoided:
- Have prior incidents of violence been reported on or near the property?
- Were any security personnel at the property?
- Were security measures added after any prior incidents?
- What protocol was in place to deter crime and protect the victims at the time of the shooting?
- Was the property owner or manager aware of any suspicious persons or suspicious activity on the property prior to the shooting?
- Have authorities been to the property on prior occasions?
Property owners are generally required to protect against foreseeable harm to anyone and everyone legally on the premises. Should the investigation into this incident reveal facts that establish that the property owner or management lacked adequate security to protect its residents and visitors, the families of Jonathan Bishu, Trevis Bellard, Nadia Kassa may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for their loss. In addition, any injured victims may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for their injuries.
The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, and suggests that an immediate, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed so as to limit evidence from being altered, damaged or destroyed. The complexities of pursuing a negligent security case are well understood by the legal team at The Murray Law Firm, and it is imperative that the families of Jonathan Bishu, Trevis Bellard, Nadia Kassa and any injured victims retain a capable law firm who will work without delay to protect their interests.
OUR RESULTS: OVER $125 MILLION IN VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS FOR OUR CLIENTS
The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have obtained over $125 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including:
- A $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property.
- Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a victim of gun violence at an apartment complex.
- Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a family who lost a loved one to gun violence at a commercial property.
We offer our legal assistance, if desired. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888-842-1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
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