Trial Magazine

Eric Knox, 24, was part of a large crowd of people gathered late one night to play dice in an open area of a Chicago housing project. A verbal altercation ensued between members of the crowd and two security guards employed by Kates’ Detective & Security Agency. During the confrontation, the guards were shot repeatedly. One of the guards allegedly shot Knox, who suffered fatal injuries. He is survived by his parents and sibling.

Knox’s mother, individually and on behalf of his estate, sued Kates’ and the two security guards. The plaintiffs claimed that the agency had negligently hired, supervised, and trained the two security guards. Suit also alleged that the guards should have mitigated the situation by calling the police when tensions with the crowd escalated.

The defense argued that Knox had been the aggressor.

The jury awarded $4.8 million, finding Knox 25% at fault. The parties settled pursuant to a high-low agreement.

Citation: Howell-Darby v. Kates’ Detective & Sec. Servs. Agency, Inc., No. 2017-L-005638 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook Cty. Oct. 1, 2019).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Benjamin A. Crane and Ervin B. Nevitt, both of Oak Park, Ill.