Bagnall v. Dick's Sporting Goods Inc et al

On September 4, 2024, Anayeli Bagnall was fatally shot by a stray bullet inside a Dick's Sporting Goods store in Tacoma, Washington. The shooting stemmed from an altercation in the parking lot between third parties. Brandon Bagnall, her husband, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. in Pierce County Superior Court. The complaint alleges the retailer failed to provide adequate security despite a known history of violent crimes at the location, including prior thefts, assaults, and weapon-related disturbances. The suit claims negligence in protecting customers from foreseeable harm, seeking compensation for funeral expenses and loss of companionship. The case remains in early litigation, drawing attention to corporate duty of care for patron safety in high-crime areas.

The case was filed in late 2024 and remains in the early stages of litigation. No final judgment or settlement has been reached.

Whether Dick's Sporting Goods breached its duty of care by failing to provide sufficient security to protect patrons from foreseeable third-party criminal acts, given prior incidents and area crime rates.

The case has intensified scrutiny on the responsibility of large retailers to ensure customer safety against escalating gun violence. It has fueled public debate over premises liability standards and the scope of corporate accountability for third-party crimes occurring on business properties.