Broward mother pleads for help to find son’s killer, announces lawsuit against store
Sources: WPLG & NBC
Attorneys say there were 13 shootings at Fort Lauderdale business prior to Steven Black’s murder
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The mother of a man shot and killed at a Fort Lauderdale convenience store in March shared a plea for help finding the suspect and announced a lawsuit against the store where the murder took place.
Fort Lauderdale resident Steven Black, 34, was gunned down on March 13 at Tony’s Market at 900 NW 22nd Road. The murder was caught on camera.
“This hurts bad,” Colette Black said. “It just needs to stop. I just want it to stop.”
Colette Black has retained an attorney, alleging negligence on behalf of the business.
“The close-range shooting in Tony’s Market, which was captured on surveillance video, comes as no surprise. According to police records, since 2018, there were 13 shootings at this business prior to Black’s murder, 9 of those since the start of 2021,” The Haggard Law Firm said in a statement ahead of Tuesday’s news conference. “Among those shootings was the April 2021 shooting of a 6-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy.”
The firm said that despite “the extensive history of crime, the store has not invested in the security that would adequately deter the continued violent acts.”
Black’s family filed a negligent security lawsuit against the management and ownership of Tony’s Market.
“They believe if proper security had been added, Steven’s murder could have been prevented,” the firm said.
Local 10 News has reached out to the owners of Tony’s Market seeking comment.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
“I don’t want to see another mother have to go through what I’m going to right now,” Colette Black said, encouraging people with information to come forward.
How We Can Help
If you, a friend or a family member find themselves in a situation such as this, please call the Law Office of Scott A. Ferris, P.A. at 305 670-3330 right away. Scott A. Ferris, Esq. is a licensed attorney who has been practicing law for 34 years. He is available whenever you need him to defend your rights. Please learn about our firm at www.FerrisLawFirm.com.
Republished by the Law Office of Scott A. Ferris, P.A.