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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Survivors Rap Nightclub Over Concert Deaths

(CN) - A Montgomery, Ala., nightclub failed to provide adequate security for a 2013 rap concert, which ended in with eight patrons being shot and three deaths, a victim's estate claims in court.

Torian Hamilton, administrator for the estate of Timnaurius Hamilton, sued the Centennial Hill Bar and Grill, and Nicole Bankhead, its owner and manager in Montgomery City Court.

According to the Jan. 3 complaint, a local rap artist known as "Doe B" was performing at the club on the night of Dec. 27, 2013, when he was confronted by two patrons in a "threatening manner."

Following the confrontation, the two patrons, Jason McWilliams and Darius Thomas, allegedly opened fire inside the club, shooting eight patrons, including 20 year old Timnaurius Hamilton.

"Hamilton was shot several times on December 28, 2014 and died on January 3, 2014 as a result of his injuries," the complaint says.

Torian Hamilton claims the club, which had a history of violence, failed to properly protect its patrons. The club's previous incarnation, The Rose Supper Club, had been shut down by the City of Montgomery "for a series of prior shootings and criminal activity."

It was then re-opened by Bankhead as Centennial Hill Bar and Grill.

"During the prior acts of criminal activity and violence, Nicole Bankhead, as the bartender and manager of the Rose Supper Club/Top Flight, knew or should have known that the security measures established by the club were inadequate to protect its patrons, and knew that the security company contracted to protect its patrons had a history and reputation for allowing weapons or other dangerous instruments inside the club, to the peril of its unsuspecting customers," the complaint says.

Despite the nightclub's past issues with security, it utilized the same security company to provide security on the night of the shootings, the complaint claims.

Other failings included allowing patrons under the age of 25 into the bar and staying open after midnight, which were both safety requirement imposed by the City of Montgomery after the club's prior closing, the complaint says.

Torian Hamilton also claims that the metal detectors used to detect firearms at the door were "inoperable."

Furthermore, the estate says, Bankhead had received a specific warning concerning the alleged shooters.

Torian Hamilton seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

The plaintiff is represented by Zachary Collins of Phenix City, Ala.

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