MAGNOLIA -- The mother of one of the victims in an Aug. 24 shooting at the VFW Building in Magnolia has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence and wrongful death against the Billy Bennett VFW Post No. 2870 and Roy J. Gaddis of Emerson, post commander.
Loretta Prince of Garland, Texas, special administrator of the estate of her son, Brandon Hobdy, filed a suit June 11 in Columbia County Circuit Court.
Two men died and another person was wounded as a result of the shooting, which occurred during a party held at the VFW Building.
Brandon Hobdy, 23, of Garland, Texas, and Wayne Payton, 24, of McNeil were killed.
Hobdy was a student at Southern Arkansas University and was a senior wide receiver on the SAU Mulerider football team. Payton was a former SAU student.
Two men have been arrested and are being held in the Columbia County jail.
Byron Lavell Dunn of Magnolia is charged with capital murder and attempted first-degree murder. Timothy Jamarcus L. Johnson of Camden is charged with first-degree murder.
According to court documents, the lawsuit seeks to recover damages in the wrongful death of Hobdy. Prince claims in the lawsuit that VFW Post 2870 and its commander failed to provide adequate security at the party, failed to take reasonable steps to make the premises safe and rented the premises without requiring the renters to provide security for the night in question.
Court papers stated that Prince is seeking all damages allowed by Arkansas law and is requesting a jury trial.
Paperwork was filed by attorney Thomas J. Diaz of the Rainwater, Holt and Sexton law firm in Little Rock.
State Desk on 06/18/2015