Greenville Bar Owner Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Shooting

The proprietor of 821 GVL and one of her bartenders are now confronted with a wrongful death lawsuit due to a fatal shooting that took place nearby their bar in Greenville. The grieving family of William Shamari Slade, the deceased victim, alleges that bar owner Danielle Britt and her bartender neglected their duties to maintain a secure environment, contributing to Slade’s death.

Details of the Lawsuit

As stated in the complaint filed on August 13 in Greenville County, Britt had been arrested earlier this week in an unrelated incident where she allegedly stabbed her boyfriend at the Lust strip club in Greenville. Britt has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

The dispute leading to Slade’s death reportedly started between him and a man named Brian Murray inside Britt’s bar, 821 GVL. Later, Murray allegedly fired the tragic gunshots on Falls Park Drive. Britt claims that the men were arguing over the bartender, who had formerly dated Slade and was dating Murray at that time.

Bartender Involvement

The lawsuit further alleges that the bartender invited Murray, with his gun visible, to the bar to confront Slade. After the argument began, Britt claims she and her staff ejected the men from 821 GVL. Slade’s family contends that previous incidents of crime at Britt’s other businesses should have made her and the bartender aware of the necessity of proper security measures.

Murray is now facing charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and failing to stop for blue lights since the during the shooting. After the incident, the city had issued a zoning violation to 821 GVL accusing the establishment of lacking sufficient number of security personnel.

Lawsuit Claims

Slade’s family is suing Danielle Britt and the bartender both collectively and individually under South Carolina law, which allows each defendant to be potentially liable for 100 percent of a plaintiff’s damages. They are seeking actual and punitive damages for the mental and emotional distress caused by Slade’s death, as well as medical bills and other expenses.

The family argues that apart from the emotional and financial loss, Slade could have lived for another 50 years, depriving his estate of the income he would have earned during his lifetime. Britt maintains her innocence, claiming that she and her staff had done everything in their power to avert the tragic event.

Britt’s Legal Troubles

A day after the lawsuit filing, Britt was further implicated in a domestic dispute with her boyfriend, leading to her arrest on August 14. According to inmate records, she has been charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a weapon while committing a violent crime.

Britt also experienced eviction from another establishment, The Lounge. The landlord alleged that she permitted patrons to engage in indecent behavior, including public urination and drug sales, leading to repeated calls to law enforcement. However, Britt has refuted these claims, asserting that the eviction was due to racial bias against her bar’s primarily black clientele.