Numerous Lawsuits Filed Against Cinemark Over the Shooting

 More lawsuits have been filed against Cinemark over the shooting that took place in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater.  In addition to the two lawsuits previously filed, two more lawsuits have been filed in federal court.  Dion Rosborough and Ryan Lumba, who were both shot during the attack, filed a lawsuit claiming the inaction of Cinemark’s employees allowed fellow moviegoer Alexander Boik to die.  Jerri Jackson, the mother of Matthew McQuinn, who died while using “his body to shield his girlfriend from gunfire, filed a claim for wrongful death.  The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages for premises liability, negligence and wrongful death.

On July 20, 2012, James Eagan Holmes entered the Century 16 multiplex, which is owned and operated by Cinemark.   Police say he purchased a ticket, entered the theater and sat in the first row for The Dark Knight Rises.   About twenty minutes into the movie, Holmes left through the emergency door he propped open to retrieve his weapons.  His weapons included “fully loaded shotguns, an AR-15 assault rifle, one or more fully loaded, automatic Glock handguns and several tear gas.” Holmes opened fire in the theatre, killing 12 people and injuring 58 other people.

The lawsuits   allege that the movie theater did not take appropriate measures to prevent the shooting.   The plaintiffs allege the movie theater should have had security guards on staff the night of the shooting because there were “previous disturbances” at nighttime showings at the theater, including “at least one shooting involving gang members.”  Additionally, the lawsuits further allege there were not enough alarms and locking mechanisms in the theater,   allowing Holmes to move about as he pleased as he shot moviegoers.  In addition, the lawsuit alleges that   Cinemark staff did not try to help   victims even after the gunman had left, and that after the shootings, the movie kept playing and the lights remained dimmed.

If you or a loved one have been harmed by violence, please contact please contact Khorrami, LLP for a confidential consultation.