The Haggard Law Firm’s Adam Finkel and Michael Haggard obtained a $2 Million settlement in a wrongful death negligent security case involving the murder of a teenager at a gas station.
On October 26, 2019, Rodney Hinds, Jr. picked up snacks from a gas station in Miami Gardens, while On October 26, 2019, Rodney Hinds, Jr. picked up snacks from a gas station in Miami Gardens, while other friends filled the car with gas. After purchasing snacks and returning to the car, an unknown person approached the car and opened fire. Rodney was struck and died. He was only 17 years old. He is survived by his mother, Tina, and his father, Rodney Sr.
Rodney’s estate brought a lawsuit against the operator of the gas station, Tahir Enterprise Inc. As the Tahirs were in the gas station convenience store for decades, The Haggard Law Firm, on behalf of the estate, argued that their management of the store was flagrantly negligent, and provided the shooter an opportunity to commit the crime. For instance, part of the cashier’s vestibule was boarded up or covered with signs, making it difficult – if not impossible – for the clerk to monitor activity at the station. In fact, the clerk advised that he was never told to watch activity occurring at the station, walk the property, or monitor the station in any manner.
Further, the side of the store was poorly lit and could allow people to hide in the dark, waiting to prey upon unsuspecting customers. On other hand, the Tahirs defended that this gas station did not have an extensive history of violent crime (including zero prior shootings or deaths) and the shooter could not be deterred, as evidenced by his willingness to commit the murder in the brightly lit lights of the gas station. As the shooter did not take items from Rodney or the car and relied upon the CCTV footage, the defense argued that Rodney was not the victim of a botched robbery, but rather was “targeted” by the shooter for unknown reasons.
Nevertheless, after the exchange of written discovery, and The Haggard Law Firm’s deposition of Mohammed Tahir, the principal owner and employee, Tahir Enterprise Inc. and AmGUARD Insurance Company tendered their policy limits of $1 Million Dollars. Additionally, the estate received a separate, pre-suit confidential $1 Million Dollar settlement from another entity, regarding Rodney’s wrongful death.
As of the posting of this article, the shooter remains at large. If you have any information on this case we encourage you to leave an anonymous tip with Miami-Dade Crimestoppers by calling (305) 471-8477
