Mom of would-be robber who was shot sues Kroger
July 19, 2012 3:02PM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The mother of an Indianapolis man who was fatally shot by an Indianapolis grocery store manager inside a Kroger store has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the supermarket chain.
The Indianapolis Business Journal reports that Toni Atkinson filed the federal lawsuit July 13 on behalf of 26-year-old Jeremi Atkinson.
Prosecutors say 24-year-old Elijah Elliott was justified under Indiana law when he shot Atkinson on Dec. 26 during an attempted robbery. Elliott has since resigned from the store.
The lawsuit alleges Kroger failed to enforce its safety policies, which prohibit employees from carrying firearms while on duty. Atkinson is seeking at least $75,000 in damages. The complaint doesn’t mention the attempted robbery.
Kroger spokesman John Elliott says the Cincinnati-based grocer was unaware of the lawsuit.
