The Legal Herald
Ryan Dowling Fatally Injured in Shooting Outside East Hartford, CT Sports Bar. (Stock Photo: MurrayLegal.com)
Could the shooting outside an East Hartford sports bar have been prevented and are justice and compensation available to the victim’s family? Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.
Local News
Gunfire rang out outside an East Hartford, Connecticut sports bar early Friday morning, August 20, 2021, leaving one man dead.
As reported by Courant.com, “[o]fficers were called at about 12:30 a.m. to [a] bar on Silver Lane for a report of someone shot and encountered an uncooperative, hostile crowd in the parking lot.”
WHDH.com is reporting, “[t]he officers spotted the shooting victim in the parking lot and began performing CPR on him.”
According to the report, “[t]he victim was taken to an area hospital, where he died.”
Courant.com identified the victim as “Ryan Dowling, of East Hartford.”
The shooting remains under investigation.
Our Legal Take
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Sports bar patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises they are visiting, and the owner or operator of the bar has a duty to operate the business and hire personnel in a non-negligent manner. The level of security provided at the bar 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?
- Was there any suspicious activity or suspicious people on the property prior to the shooting.
- Does the bar have a protocol to check for deadly weapons prior to patrons entering the establishment.
- What security measures, such as bright lighting, visible surveillance cameras, and security personnel, were in place to deter crime and protect the victim at the time of the shooting?
Property owners and managers 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 bar owner or management lacked adequate security to protect its visitors, or engaged in the negligent retention of its security personnel, the family of Ryan Dowling may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for their loss.
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 and investigation 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 family of Ryan Dowling retain a capable law firm who will work without delay to protect their interests.
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The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have obtained over $100 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.
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