On or about December 25, 2023, Decedent was at the parking lot of Onyx Wine and Cigar Lounge located at 312 Texas Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana, a property owned, operated, and/or controlled by Defendant, Nicole Shunte Gray.  During his time in the parking lot, Decedent became the victim of a fatal shooting incident.

The bar’s premises, including its parking lot, were poorly secured, creating an unsafe environment where violent altercations were foreseeable and preventable. Defendants failed to implement reasonable safety measures such as adequate lighting, monitoring, and/or security personnel, directly contributing to the tragic events that lead to the death of Marcus James Sowell, Jr. Despite knowledge of prior incidents and/or risks, Defendants neglected to take corrective actions to protect patrons and others lawfully on the property.

As a result, Decedent sustained severe injuries that led to his untimely death en route to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. The loss has caused profound emotional, financial, and familial impacts on Decedent’s surviving relatives.

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