CLEARWATER — A Florida resident is suing the City of St. Petersburg, a security agency and its employee, accusing them of negligence, alleged use of excessive force and vicarious liability.
Amos J. Hope IV filed a complaint on May 9 in the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida-Pinellas County against the defendants alleging that they negligently failed to retain competent security and the use of excessive force.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Nov. 12, 2016, he was returning to his car in the Sundial Parking Garage, located at 117 2nd Street North in St. Petersburg with the intention of waiting in his car for a friend when allegedly Rodney Casmir, a security guard, confronted him, sprayed him with pepper spray, slammed him to ground and forcibly placed his knee on Hope's back.
As a result of the alleged use of excessive force, Hope suffered severe bodily injuries, pain, suffering, mental anguish and incurred substantial medical expenses.
The plaintiff holds City of St. Petersburg, Rodney Casmir and Loan Ranger Management, LLC doing business as Guardian Security of Tampa Bay responsible because the defendants allegedly carelessly and negligently breached its duties to residents and visitors by failing to hire or retain competent security, to train and/or inadequately train its employees to handle people without the use of excessive force and failing to exercise reasonable care for residents and visitors alike.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks damages exceeding $15,000, exclusive of costs, interest, attorney's fees and other further relief the court may deem just and proper. He is represented by Gary L. Printy, Jr. of Printy & Printy, PA in Tampa.
6th Judicial Circuit of Florida - Pinellas County Case number 18CA2987 5/9