On July 17, 2023, Deana N. Dunham, Jacksonville Partner and Associate Jack Garwood obtained a final summary judgment in a negligent security matter entitled Plaintiff a minor, by and through parent, and Natural Guardian v. Defendant Retail Store. The minor Plaintiff C.S. suffered injuries at the hands of a third party minor A.S.R., who allegedly stole a BB gun from Defendant Retail Store’s premises and shot C.S. off the premises, inside A.S.R.’s residence while C.S. was visiting A.S.R., his friend. 

Defendant moved for summary judgment on the ground that there was no legal duty owed to C.S., the subject incident was not proximately caused by Defendant, Plaintiff’s theory of liability improperly relied on inference stacking, and public policy concerns. The trial court agreed, granting summary judgment in favor of Defendant, and Plaintiff filed an appeal. The Appellate Court entered an order affirming the trial court’s ruling on November 26, 2024.