In a dramatic legal battle unfolding in Pinellas County, Florida, a guardian advocate is seeking justice for a minor who was allegedly assaulted and shot on the premises of a local property. Merissha Graham, acting as the guardian advocate for Jeremiah Jordan, filed a complaint against TPAF VII Isles of Gateway, LLC, doing business as Isles of Gateway, on December 13, 2024. The lawsuit was submitted to the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
The complaint outlines that on September 17, 2023, Jeremiah Jordan was legally present at the Isles of Gateway when he was attacked by a trespasser in a common area. Graham alleges that the defendant had prior knowledge of criminal activities occurring in and around their property but failed to take necessary security measures to protect guests and visitors. According to court documents, there had been substantial violent criminal activity in the vicinity over the past three years, including assaults and shootings. The plaintiff claims that these incidents made it foreseeable that such an attack could occur again.
Graham's legal team argues that TPAF VII Isles of Gateway breached its duty by not implementing adequate security measures such as lighting, surveillance cameras, or even functional gates. They further assert that there were no warning signs or neighborhood watch programs in place despite previous complaints from patrons about safety concerns. "Defendant knew or should have recognized that security measures at the time of the incident complained of herein were either non-existent, lacking, inadequate and/or were not being performed as expected or intended," states one part of the complaint.
As a result of this alleged negligence, Jeremiah Jordan has suffered significant injuries leading to pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, and other damages which are described as permanent and continuing. The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of costs and interest and demands a jury trial to determine fair compensation for these losses.
Representing Merissha Graham is attorney Nicholas J. Spetsas from Spetsas Buist PLLC based in Orlando. The case is filed under Case Number: 24-005476-CI with Judge Ken Burke presiding over the proceedings.