The parents of a teenager killed in the Mall of Louisiana shooting earlier this year in Baton Rouge have filed a lawsuit.
The parents of Martha Odom, who was killed by a stray bullet in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in April, sued the mall and the company that was hired to provide security, according to a report by Louisiana First News.
The report states that Michael and Brooke Odom filed suit in the 19th Judicial District Court on behalf of Martha and four other people at the scene, two of whom were shot.
Also named as defendants in the suit were the owner of the mall and Markel Lee, who has been charged in connection with the shooting.
According to the report, the suit alleges that before the shooting, the mall “was the site of incidents of significant violent crime and security disturbances at and around the property, including in the area of the food court. They also claim that the mall “failed to take reasonable care to secure the safety of its premises for invitees.”
The suit also alleges that there were no security personnel in the food court at the time of the shooting.
Martha Odom’s parents are seeking damages tied to their daughter’s death, as well as attorney fees.
Read more here.
About Martha Odom:
Odom was a senior at Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette and was with two additional students at the time of the shooting.
The school issued the following statement following her passing:
“Today, our hearts are heavy. We grieve the loss of one of our seniors, Martha Odom, following yesterday’s off-campus tragedy. We continue to lift in prayer the two students who are healing, as well as the two additional students who were present. Ascension Episcopal School carries this cross together— we are holding one another close with an immense amount of faith and love. Her classmates, Ascension faculty, and our Blue Gator families remember Martha as a joyful presence whose kindness and infectious enthusiasm brought light to all who knew her. In the midst of sorrow, we are reminded: ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ (Psalm 34:18) We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from near and far. Our priority at this time is to care for the hearts and minds of our students, families, and staff. We ask for continued prayers—for healing, for peace, and for the strength to carry one another forward.”
About the shooting:
Baton Rouge police arrested one person in connection with the deadly shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
The shooting happened on April 23.
Markel Lee, 17, turned himself in to the police and is currently in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
He is being charged with first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of illegal use of a weapon.
Police confirmed that there were six victims, including Odom.
Police say two groups were arguing in the food court before they began shooting at each other.
READ MORE:Parents of Martha Odom, teen killed in Mall of Louisiana shooting, file lawsuit
