Family sues employer of woman slain in store

6/16/2007

The family of a convenience store worker killed in 2005 when a man seeking his estranged wife opened fire sued the business, claiming the owners of Barney s Convenient Mart had a duty to protect her while at her workplace of employment.

Shantel Hendrix, 27, and Susan Cox, 43, both employees at Barney s Convenient Mart, were shot and killed June 17, 2005, by Ms. Cox s estranged husband, Archie. After shooting the two women, Cox killed himself.

In the lawsuit filed yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Micky Hendrix, acting as administrator of Ms. Hendrix s estate, asked for damages in excess of $25,000.

The lawsuit said JF Enterprises Inc., the parent company of Barney s, knew of Archie Cox s past threats and outbursts and that the business failed to provide adequate protection.

The negligence of the Defendant in not providing a safe work environment was the proximate cause of [Ms. Hendrix s] pain and suffering and subsequent death, the lawsuit said.