LIMA — The family of a man shot to death inside a bar last year filed a lawsuit this week against the bar.
Lacasha Gibson, the mother and administrator of the estate of Tajh Gibson, filed the lawsuit against Stormy’s at 122 N. Elizabeth St., and Catherine Munday, the bar’s owner or operator. She is seeking more than $25,000 plus attorney fees.
Gibson said the bar and its employees were responsible for her son’s safety when he was shot Feb. 26. She said the bar failed to maintain a safe environment free from dangers and criminal acts, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also alleges the bar defendants should have known and recognized the likelihood for problems especially after a similar incident had occurred.
The bar also may have exceeded its maximum occupancy capacity that day, the lawsuit said.
Police charged a 21-year-old man in Tajh Gibson’s slaying but the grand jury refused to indict him last year. The man was set free and no further arrests have been made.
Despite the grand jury ruling, a police lieutenant said they believe they arrested the right man but needed more evidence to move the case forward.
Three bystanders were wounded in the shooting, too. Gibson, 22, died from a single gunshot wound to the torso.
Police also said a couple other shootings near the time of Gibson’s death may be related: One against the sister of the man police had as a suspect that injured her and another at Marko’s Bar on April 1 which four people were injured. Two men were charged following the Marko’s bar shooting, one of whom was Gibson’s half brother.
