Miami Jury Awards $20M in Grocery Store Shooting

Case Background

On November 4, 2017, Diego Suarez Perez entered Tony’s Food Market, a neighborhood grocery store in Miami’s Liberty City area. He came as a business invitee, visiting the store for everyday needs.

As he stood outside, armed men attacked him. The assailants robbed him and shot him, leaving him severely wounded. The store sat at 2541 NW 95th Street, a location surrounded by crime for years. Perez claimed the property owners and operators ignored clear warnings and failed to protect customers from foreseeable danger.

Perez sued the store’s operating company, 4 Brothers LLC, and its principals, Eddy and Sara Casamayor. He alleged they failed to maintain safe premises and disregarded a duty to provide basic security for patrons.

Cause

Perez’s complaint rested on negligence. He argued the store owners and operators knew the property sat in a high-crime zone but failed to act. According to Perez, the store allowed an open-air drug market to thrive on its grounds. The environment drew criminal activity and placed customers like him at direct risk.

He said the Defendants failed to hire guards, install cameras, or patrol the premises. They did not warn invitees of danger despite multiple prior robberies and violent crimes near the store. Their inaction, he claimed, directly caused his shooting and lasting injuries.

Injury

Perez survived the attack but suffered catastrophic harm. The gunshot wounds left him with permanent physical impairment and disfigurement. He experienced long-term pain, both physical and mental.

His complaint described disability, loss of mobility, and emotional trauma. He lived with fear and anguish, no longer able to enjoy daily life. His condition required hospitalization, surgeries, and ongoing medical treatment. He also faced lost earnings and diminished ability to work in the future.

Damages<