Sad Gunshot Death in Afghanistan

FORT WORTH (CN) - A civilian contractor at an Afghanistan military base was shot to death when a trainee inexplicably shot through the floor above her, her mother claims in court.

The Estate of Christina Maddock sued AECOM Technology Corp. and three AECOM affiliates, and McNeil Technologies, on Feb. 12 in Tarrant County Court.

Maddock was a civilian contractor for Intelligent Software Solutions Corp., assigned to the NATO Regional Command West military base in Herat, Afghanistan. Intelligent Software is not a party to the lawsuit.

Defendant Jane Doe worked for the defendants and shared office space in the same building at the base, the estate claims. Jane Doe was not permitted to have or use firearms because she had not completed the required training, according to the complaint.

"On Feb. 13, 2013, John Doe brought a rifle and pistol to the AECOM office space where Jane Doe was located," the 22-page lawsuit states. "John Doe's purpose for bringing the rifle and pistol was to train Jane Doe in firearms so that Jane Doe could obtain authorization for the use of firearms."

Maddock's mother claims that John Doe conducted a 20- to 30-minute firearms training session with Jane Doe, then left the second floor to take a "smoke break," leaving the weapons with Jane Doe.

"John Doe instructed Jane Doe to 'play with the weapons' and 'show the others what she learned," the complaint states. "Jane Doe discharged the pistol, firing one projectile through the floor of the AECOM workspace. Another employee of AECOM secured the firearm after discharge. Moments later, the decedent, Christina Maddock, was found unconscious on the first floor with a gunshot would to the head."

Christina Maddock was pronounced dead two days later after being taken to Landstuhl, Germany.

Maddock's mother says the defendants "demonstrated a reckless disregard for and/or conscious indifference to the life and safety" of her daughter.

AECOM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Maddock's mother seeks punitive damages for negligence and vicarious liability. She is represented by Michael Kugler with Searcy Denney in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Charla Aldous in Dallas.

Follow @davejourno

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