Published on: November 25, 2024, 08:41h. 

Last updated on: November 25, 2024, 08:41h.

A poker enthusiast who was shot multiple times outside a Florida card club after a successful gaming session is taking legal action against the establishment for their failure to provide adequate protection.

Karruah Parkinson suffered critical injuries in the parking lot of Bestbet, a parimutuel facility in Orange Park, Jacksonville, on November 23, 2022, as reported by local channel News4Jax.

After winning approximately $6,000 at the poker table that evening and leaving some poker chips for fellow players as a kind gesture, Parkinson became the target of a violent attack.

According to his lawyer, Okoye Morgan, some of the players he had just played with followed him outside and carried out the shooting.

Lack of Security Measures

“While attempting to escape the gunfire, he sought help from a security officer who was nowhere to be found,” Morgan stated. “There was a clear absence of adequate security on the premises.”

After being discovered in his vehicle, which was struck by multiple bullets, Parkinson was promptly taken to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital for treatment. He continues to struggle with physical and emotional recovery from the incident, experiencing significant pain due to wounds suffered in his abdomen and arms. The bullets narrowly missed vital internal organs, Morgan revealed.

“Such establishments must prioritize the safety of their patrons,” Morgan emphasized. “We firmly believe that the security measures in place were insufficient, and the venue had a responsibility to ensure our client’s safety, which they failed to do.”

“I can confidently say that [Parkinson] has no intention of ever visiting a casino again,” Morgan added. “The impact on his mental well-being has been profound. Surviving such a traumatic event and being forced to live through it is a nightmare for anyone. It has had a significant toll on his overall health.”

Ongoing Investigation by Authorities

Despite no arrests being made by Orange Park police thus far, they confirmed they are actively pursuing three suspects linked to the shooting. A spokesperson for Bestbet declined to comment on an ongoing investigation, citing company policy.

In a separate incident in February 2024, an armed robbery transpired outside the venue involving a player leaving with $20,000 in winnings. As the player approached his vehicle, he was threatened at gunpoint and robbed of $7,000 from his jacket pocket, according to media reports at the time.

Subsequently, a 21-year-old individual named Sean Evans was apprehended by law enforcement in connection with the robbery after dropping his phone while fleeing the scene.