FORT WORTH, Texas — The family of a man who was killed on his break during his overnight shift in Fort Worth -- allegedly by a man who was on a layover at DFW Airport, police said -- has filed a lawsuit against his employer, alleging they didn't do enough to provide security.
The family of Lee Douglas filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Refresco Beverages US Inc. in Tarrant County District Court on Aug. 7. The family is alleging Refresco didn't provide enough parking lot security or lighting and that it should have recognized the "dangers" in the area.
Refresco officials declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying they don't comment on active litigation.
Douglas, a 36-year-old father of five children, was killed outside of his Refresco warehouse job in the early morning hours of May 30, police said.
Douglas, an electrician, had walked to his car in the parking lot when someone shot him in the back and the face, according to officials.
The next day, police arrested 18-year-old Decan Medeiros in the shooting. Police said Medeiros had stopped at DFW Airport on the night of May 29, hours before Douglas was killed. Medeiros' family members told WFAA that the teen has no ties to North Texas and was only here for his layover. He was heading back to Washington state after a trip he took for work, his family said.
Instead, he went on a shooting spree, according to a police report from the DFW Airport Department of Public Safety.
After shooting Douglas, police said, Medeiros allegedly began shooting toward Douglas' coworkers.
Medeiros then ran across the street and entered the ONCOR Distribution warehouse and fired at a forklift driver three times, but the forklift driver was not injured, police said.
A motive behind the shootings remained unclear, police said. The report said Medeiros had been in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he reportedly left "mad and upset" at his father who had asked him to work, a woman who helped raise Medeiros told police.
When Medeiros went to the Chattanooga airport, police said he reportedly was seen running around shirtless, with the incident report noting his "behavior was off, he was excessively sweating and appeared to be incoherent when spoken to."
Medeiros ultimately boarded his flight, which was stopping in DFW on a layover.
The lawsuit filed by Douglas' family against Refresco Beverages alleged negligence "led to the fatal shooting," according to a press release from the family's attorneys.
"Despite the known risks associated with the area, Refresco failed to provide adequate security measures, including 24-hour security personnel, leaving Mr. Douglas and other employees vulnerable to danger," the release said.
The lawsuit said other nearby companies, including Oncor, "recognized the dangers" in the area and provided around-the-clock security.
"The absence of adequate security measures created an unreasonable risk of harm to employees of Refresco, including Lee Douglas," the lawsuit said. "This risk was evident given the circumstances of the surrounding businesses, which had recognized the need for continuous security. Refresco’s lack of security left its premises vulnerable, allowing the tragic event to occur without immediate intervention."
The lawsuit is seeking damages and a jury trial.