Anquisha Williams vs.  Hurricane Harbor LP, et al

Case Background

On July 30, 2021, Plaintiff  Anquisha Williams filed a Premises Liability and Wrongful death lawsuit in the District Court of Texas, Tarrant County (Case number: 067-326998). Donald Cosby presided over this case.

Cause

On June 23, 2021, sixteen-year-old D.T. visited Hurricane Harbor, a water park in Arlington, Texas. The park, owned by Hurricane Harbor, LP, Hurricane Harbor, GP, LLC, Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc., and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, promoted itself as a family-friendly amusement park prioritizing visitor safety. However, the Defendants failed to implement adequate measures to protect patrons from foreseeable third-party crimes.

After enjoying a day at the park, D.T. and his friends exited the facility. In the parking lot, an assailant confronted them. The individual, seated in his car, accused D.T.’s group of harboring grievances against someone unknown to them. The confrontation escalated when the assailant retrieved a firearm and fired multiple gunshots, striking D.T. in the back. The gunshot wound caused fatal injuries.

At the time, D.T. was a paying customer and invitee entitled to reasonable safety measures. Despite their knowledge of prior violent incidents at or near the premises, the Defendants failed to deploy sufficient security measures. They did not monitor suspicious activity, provide adequate access controls, or ensure a trained security presence in the parking lot. This negligence created unsafe conditions, ultimately leading to D.T.’s wrongful death.

Injuries

D.T. sustained a fatal gunshot wound in the Hurricane Harbor parking lot. Before his death, he endured extreme physical pain, fear, and emotional trauma. His life was cut short, robbing him of future milestones and opportunities. His family experienced profound emotional anguish, losing his companionship, support, and contributions.

Damages

Plaintiff Anquisha Williams, individually and as D.T.’s mother, sought compensation for damages resulting from the Defendants’ negligence. These damages included:

  • Actual damages: Medical and funeral expenses.
  • Pain and suffering: D.T.’s extreme physical pain and emotional distress.
  • Loss of companionship: Emotional anguish and the loss of D.T.’s support.
  • Loss of future contributions: Damages for D.T.’s lost earnings and inheritance.
  • Punitive damages: Exemplary damages to deter gross negligence.
  • Interest: Pre- and post-judgment interest to account for delays.

The Plaintiff argued these damages directly stemmed from the Defendants’ failure to maintain a secure environment in their amusement park, resulting in the premises liability that contributed to D.T.’s wrongful death.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Anquisha Williams, individually and on behalf of her minor son, D.T., deceased,
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Aubrey Pittman | Nuru Witherspoon | Emily Taylor
  • Defendant(s): Hurricane Harbor LP | Hurricane Harbor GP LLC | Six Flags Theme Parks Inc. | Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
    • Counsel for Defendants: Jessica Z. Barger | Katherine R. Hancock  | E. Marie Jamison | Joseph M. Marcus  | Jordan M. Parker  |  Bryan T. Pope | Rachel H. Stinson  | Lisa M. Wright

Claims

The Plaintiff brought claims of premises liability and negligence, asserting the Defendants breached their duty of care. Specific failures included:

  • Inadequate security measures, such as insufficient access controls and a lack of trained security in the parking lot.
  • Failure to monitor and address suspicious activities, despite a history of criminal incidents.
  • Negligent hiring, training, and supervision of staff responsible for guest safety.
  • Failure to warn patrons of known risks.

The Plaintiff contended that the Defendants were aware of prior violent crimes on or near the amusement park premises and could have prevented similar incidents.

Defense

The Defendants argued they acted reasonably and provided standard security measures suitable for a public amusement park. They claimed the incident was an unforeseeable and isolated act of third-party criminal conduct, beyond their control.

The Defendants maintained that they had no knowledge or warning about the assailant’s intentions. They also argued the criminal’s independent actions were the sole cause of D.T.’s wrongful death and that their adherence to industry standards absolved them of premises liability.

Jury Verdict

On November 6, 2024, the jury found Hurricane Harbor, LP, and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation not liable for D.T.’s death, assigning 100% of the responsibility to Cameron Stephens, the assailant.

The jury awarded $4,250,000 for D.T.’s pain and suffering, $6,432.50 for medical expenses, and $34,109.50 for burial costs, bringing the total damages awarded for D.T. to $4,290,542. For Anquisha Williams, the jury awarded $2,295,000, which included $1,040,000 for mental anguish and $1,000,000 for loss of companionship. In total, the jury awarded $6,585,542 in damages, reflecting the profound impact of the incident on D.T. and his family.

Court Documents:

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