Atlanta Music Video Set Shooting Leads to Lawsuit
ATLANTA — It’s been nearly five months since that fateful day in May when chaos erupted on the set of a music video in the Dixie Hills neighborhood of Atlanta. The sound of gunfire, heard not only by those on the set but also by residents across the street, left a lasting impact. This event, which involved three men being shot during a music video reportedly featuring popular Atlanta rapper, Lil Baby, has now led to legal action.
On Friday, October 11th, Kevin Mares, one of the victims from the May 14th shooting, took a significant step by filing a lawsuit in Fulton County. The lawsuit names several key players within the production process as defendants, bringing to light the alleged shortcomings in security and logistical planning.
Filed Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit, filed by Mares, specifically targets the companies behind the production, security, and the property location. Shotclock, hailing from Brooklyn, New York, and Quality Control Music, based in Roswell, Georgia, are named in the suit. It’s alleged these companies had a verbal and written agreement to hire well-trained and insured security personnel, a responsibility they purportedly neglected.
Adding to the list of defendants are two security companies: Cannon Executive Protection Agency and Tactical Elite Protection Services, both operating in metro Atlanta. The lawsuit accuses these entities of failing to enforce and perform critical security measures, ultimately contributing to the unfortunate events that unfolded.
Another entity named in the suit is Bristol Consulting Group, the company alleged to be in control of the property at 2179 Verbena Street NW, where the shooting occurred. The lawsuit claims it failed in its duty to handle pre-production planning and onsite needs, which directly led to Mares’ injuries.
Mares’ Impacts and Accusations
According to the lawsuit, Mares sustained a gunshot wound to the neck, resulting in significant medical and emotional repercussions. The suit seeks over $680,000 to cover medical expenses, loss of income, mental anguish, pain, and suffering.
Importantly, the lawsuit makes it clear that the responsibility for the lack of security does not fall on Lil Baby. It states, “Finally, the Artist in no way contributed, caused or was responsible for or to the security considerations, as in those details are and were routinely handled by Quality Control and Shotclock and their production decisions.”
Ongoing Investigation
As of Monday night, neither the defendants nor Mares’ attorney have responded with additional comments on the ongoing case. The Atlanta Police Department has confirmed that their investigation is still active, and notably, no arrests have been made. As for the motive behind the shooting, it’s a mystery yet to be unveiled.
This incident has sparked considerable attention not just within the Atlanta music scene but also among the residents of Dixie Hills who experienced the disruption firsthand. With legal proceedings now underway, all eyes are on how the courtroom drama will unfold and whether justice will be served for Kevin Mares and those affected by that day.
