The family of 16-year-old Luis Garcia, who was shot and killed outside of East High School more than a year ago, has filed a lawsuit against Denver Public Schools. The lawsuit alleges that the school failed to protect its students by removing police officers from the campus, leading to Garcia’s death. The shooting occurred in broad daylight when a juvenile suspect fired multiple shots at Garcia, hitting him in the head. Despite efforts by police, no arrests have been made in connection to the shooting.
The lawsuit claims that the school’s decision to remove school resource officers compromised the safety and security of the students, allowing potential shooters to believe they could carry out attacks without resistance. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $1 million and aims to hold Denver Public Schools and East High School accountable for their alleged failure to uphold their legal duty to protect students under the Claire Davis School Safety Act.
Following Garcia’s death and another shooting at the school, Denver Public Schools decided to reintroduce school resource officers to the schools. The lawsuit, along with a separate claim filed by the deans who were shot in the second incident, highlights the ongoing debate over school safety and violence prevention. The legal proceedings are expected to bring attention to how public schools manage security in the face of rising violence. Students and parents have protested, expressing concerns about safety and security at East High School.
Source
Photo credit denvergazette.com
