ATLANTA — Attorneys for the parents of Secoriea Turner announced their notice of intent to sue the city of Atlanta that has been submitted to Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and others within the city.
Turner was the 8-year-old girl who was shot and killed in on July 4 by alleged armed demonstrators at the Wendy's on University Avenue where Rayshard Brooks was killed.
The attorneys allege numerous claims that the city failed to keep the area where Brooks was killed clear and safe.
"Mayor Bottoms and City officials turned a blind eye and failed to protect the safety of the public," the notice states.
The family is seeking $12 million in damages from the city of Atlanta for the death of Turner.
Atlanta Police said the car that Turner was riding in with her mother and an adult friend tried to enter a parking lot on Pryor Road on July 4 when they were confronted by a group of armed people who had blocked the entrance.
During the confrontation, someone in the group opened fire, hitting the car multiple times and hitting Secoreia. The driver immediately drove to Atlanta Medical Center for help for the little girl, but she died at the hospital.
"Mayor Bottoms, Councilmember (Joyce) Sheperd, Chief (Rodney) Bryant, and City officials negligently performed their ministerial duties relating to the protection of the public’s health and safety, by omitting to act and clear the area of the barricade and the violent armed civilians that surrounded it," the notice said.
It continues saying they all knew that the area was dangerous and that a presence was needed.
"The City and Mayor Bottoms were put on notice of the need for their presence in the area. Actual notice of a hazardous condition gives rise to a ministerial duty on the part of an individual charged with the responsibility to respond to such a condition."
11Alive has reached out to the Mayor and the city of Atlanta for a comment regarding the notice of intent to sue.