Family of man shot by security guard files wrongful death lawsuit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The estate of a man killed by security guards outside a Demonbreun Street nightclub last summer has filed a lawsuit against the club, the security guards and their employer over his death.

According to court documents, on the evening of June 10, 2023, a brief physical and verbal altercation occurred between him and an unnamed man at Vibes Bar Lounge, after which Charles “legally defended” himself and his family by using a firearm. The document states that Charles fired the gun only after the man, identified in court documents only as John Doe #3, first shot Charles, his family and friends.

Shortly after that exchange of gunfire, the lawsuit alleges, the two security guards on duty at the time of the shooting, referred to in the lawsuit as John Doe No. 1 and No. 2, shot Charles. According to Metro Nashville Police, the security guards said they only shot Charles after he began shooting in defense of others in the bar.

“Based on the information and belief available, Doe #1 and Doe #2 were trained to appropriately and correctly identify threats, respond to gunfire, and deescalate potentially violent altercations,” the documents state. “Based on the information and belief available, Security Defendants never warned Patrick to drop his weapon or otherwise followed their instructions to deescalate this altercation.”

The following claims were asserted in the lawsuit:

• Liability to Vibes
• Negligence and both negligence gross negligence against Vibes and the two security guards
• negligent hiring practices against Blueline Security, who hired the guards
• Personal injury and compensation against the unnamed bar guest
• all damages under Tennessee wrongful death law, which include emotional and mental anguish and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, funeral and burial expenses, and more

News 2 has reached out to Vibes and Blueline Security for comment but has not yet received a response.