Two lawsuits filed this week claim MARTA was negligent in an April 13 fatal shooting on one of its trains.
A Clayton County man, Chauncey Lee Daniels, has been charged with murder and aggravated assault in the attack on a train at the West Lake station that killed one man and injured three people.
According to police, Daniels fatally shot Zachariah Hunnicutt, 38. Though police have not cited a motive, they say Daniels knew and targeted Hunnicutt and shot the other victims. Police say 31 people were on the train at the time of the shooting, and 10 were in the line of fire.
Both lawsuits were filed Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court. One was filed by Alishha Clopton, Hunnicutt’s wife, the other by Johnesia Cofiled, who was severely injured in the shooting.
The lawsuits name MARTA and Daniels as defendants. They say MARTA failed to provide adequate security at West Lake station. Among other things, they also say the agency knew of prior criminal activity that created hazardous conditions there and failed to warn patrons.
The lawsuits seek unspecified compensation for personal injuries, pain and suffering, and other damages.
MARTA did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuits.
Hunnicutt’s death was the fifth homicide MARTA police investigated this fiscal year. There were no homicides the previous four years.
Despite the recent homicides, MARTA officials have said the transit system is safe, citing a 27 percent decrease in serious crime in the past five years.
About the Author
