WATERLOO, Iowa – One person was left dead Saturday, Jan. 8, after a shooting at a Waterloo convenience store.
The victim was found around 10:00 p.m. at the Prime Mart located 508 Broadway Street. The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Waterloo Police Department.
Paramedics rendered emergency treatment, but the victim succumbed to his injuries at the convenience store.
The same convenience store was the location of a separate shooting in November that left two people injured.
Commentary on Convenience Store Deaths
I have been watching convenience store deaths over the past year and am amazed at the number of our citizens killed while frequenting such locations. Something must change to help prevent these senseless acts from continuing to occur.
Under premises liability law, establishment owners have a duty to provide their patrons with a safe and secure shopping experience. This includes risks the establishment knew or should have known at the time of the event in question. Failure to provide a safe environment renders the establishment liable for the harm sustained. How many more deaths must occur before convenience store owners are charged with providing adequate protection from the risks associated with such events?
This convenience store had a similar incident only two months prior. Were changes made to prevent future acts from occurring? Was sufficient lighting installed to deter such acts? Were CCTVs installed to monitor and detect acts before they happened? Was security hired to protect patrons from these senseless acts of violence? Answers to these questions will be answered through the litigation process.
I offer my condolences to the family of the deceased and hope for peace during this time of trial.
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