Buckhead club owner must pay $66M for student’s death
The owner of a defunct Buckhead nightclub has been ordered by an Atlanta judge to pay $66.5 million to the parents of an Albany State University student fatally shot inside the club on Mother’s Day last year.
Mariam “Mari” Creighton, a 21-year-old volleyball player, was celebrating with family at the Elleven45 Lounge on Peachtree Road when she was struck by a bullet intended for someone else, police said. The target, 20-year-old Nakyris Ridley, was also fatally shot. Police said four other patrons, all bystanders like Creighton, were shot but survived.
Suspect Karanji Reese is in jail facing 19 charges of murder, aggravated assault and gun possession.
Elleven45 was Djibril Dafe’s club. He and several of his companies were hit with multiple lawsuits stemming from the incident, including a case won by the city of Atlanta in August 2024 when a Fulton County judge ruled the club was operating illegally and shut it down.
Dafe and his companies had a lawyer in the city’s case, but they have ignored the suit filed by Creighton’s parents, Juan Umberto Creighton and Tracey Eason, as well as other complaints, court records show.
In an Oct. 28 order, Fulton County State Court Judge Fred Eady said Dafe and his companies offered no evidence to contradict or defend against the claims against them in the Creighton case.
Mari Creighton’s parents alleged the club’s lax security allowed the shooter to enter with a gun, though there had been previous problems with violence and weapons at the business.
Eady ordered Dafe and his companies — Sovereign Entertainment Inc., Elleven 45 Inc. and Elleven 45 Lounge LLC — to pay $5,625,000 for Mari Creighton’s pain and suffering and $60,950,000 for her wrongful death.
Parker Miller, an attorney for Mari Creighton’s parents, said they’re pleased the court recognized the “grossly negligent” behavior of Dafe and his companies. Mari Creighton played volleyball for the Golden Rams and was one semester away from graduating with a degree in biology.
“While there are serious questions as to why this club remained open as long as it did given its background, our hope is that the club’s subsequent closing saved other families from tragedy while also demonstrating that every life, including those of a beautiful and deeply caring 21-year old, have immense value,” Miller told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dafe did not immediately respond Wednesday to phone and email messages about the case.
Mari Creighton’s parents are still pursuing claims against the companies that leased their property to Dafe for the club.
Landowners Bennett Street Properties LP and Bennett Street Realty Inc. deny they’re responsible for the student’s death.
Jack Brown, one of four owners of Bennett Street Properties, testified last year that he was surprised and disturbed to learn the club had violated city ordinances. Brown said he supported the city’s bid to close the club, which owed rent.
Miller said the judgment against Dafe and his companies is “just the first step” in the process of getting justice for Mari Creighton’s family and holding all responsible parties accountable.
When she permanently shuttered Elleven45 last year, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachelle Carnesale said the club had been serving alcohol to minors, allowing patrons to use illegal drugs on site, failing to properly screen guests and exceeding occupancy limits, among other things.
She said Dafe had a history of avoiding citations and trying to dodge legal consequences, noting he had been arrested for failing to appear in court on unrelated felony fraud and theft charges.
“Citation and suspension of licenses is not satisfactory to abate this nuisance based on the facts, as the business appears to disregard basic licensing and lease requirements,” Carnesale wrote in an order.
About the Author
Journalist Rosie Manins is a legal affairs reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
