Texas jury clears shooter’s parents of negligence in $300m lawsuit
Shooter's parents not liable; jury awards $300m to Santa Fe victims
A jury in Texas ruled on Monday that the parents of a school shooter were not negligent in a civil trial related to the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting.
The jury found Dimitrios Pagourtzis liable and awarded the plaintiffs over $300 million.
In May 2018, Pagourtzis, then 17, killed eight students and two adults and injured more than a dozen others at the high school near Galveston, according to authorities.
Survivors and relatives of the victims sued Pagourtzis’ parents, Antonios Pagourtzis and Rose Marie Kosmetatos, accusing them of failing to secure their firearms and neglecting their son’s deteriorating mental health.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Clint McGuire argued in his opening statement that parents should securely store guns if their child is depressed, holding them partially responsible if their child uses those guns in a school shooting.
The parents testified that they had not seen any warning signs before the shooting. Their attorney contended they could not be held responsible for their son’s actions.
Lori Laird, the parents’ attorney, expressed her joy at the jury’s decision, stating that the parents needed public vindication.
McGuire, speaking to reporters, respectfully disagreed with the verdict, emphasizing the crucial role of parents in preventing school shootings. He stated that parents should be the first line of defense and know their children better than anyone else.
In her closing argument, Laird blamed Lucky Gunner, an online retailer based in Tennessee, for selling Dimitrios Pagourtzis over 100 rounds of ammunition without verifying his age. Lucky Gunner was a defendant in the lawsuit until reaching a settlement with the families last year.
The jury attributed 80% of the responsibility for the shootings to Dimitrios Pagourtzis and 20% to Lucky Gunner.
Family members of six of the eight slain students, a slain teacher’s family, and four survivors injured in the shooting were among the plaintiffs. The firearms used in the shooting were legally owned by Pagourtzis’ parents.
The trial featured emotional testimonies from victims, their families, and Pagourtzis’ family members.
Pagourtzis’ father testified that he did not recognize his son’s severe depression, noting that it can take years to identify a child’s illness. He admitted not teaching his son about gun safety but believed that locking more than a dozen weapons in a display cabinet and a gun safe was adequate.
The parents face no criminal charges. Dimitrios Pagourtzis’ criminal trial has been postponed indefinitely after a judge found him mentally incompetent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Were the parents of the Santa Fe shooter found liable for negligence?
No, the Texas jury found the parents not liable for negligence.
How much were the plaintiffs awarded in the Santa Fe shooting case?
The plaintiffs were awarded more than $300 million.
Who did the jury find responsible for the Santa Fe shooting?
The jury found Dimitrios Pagourtzis primarily responsible and attributed 20% responsibility to Lucky Gunner.
What did the shooter’s parents testify regarding warning signs?
They testified they didn’t see any warning signs ahead of the shooting.
What was the role of Lucky Gunner in the Santa Fe shooting case?
Lucky Gunner sold ammunition to Dimitrios Pagourtzis without verifying his age and settled with the families before the trial.
