Family of 21-year-old college volleyball player killed in shooting sues Elleven45 club

Elleven45 salon in Buckhead is facing new lawsuits following a deadly shooting last month.

The parents of Mariam “Mari” Creighton, 21, are seeking compensation for her May 12 nightclub death.

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Juan Umberto Creighton and Tracey Eason filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Fulton County Court over their daughter's death, with the lawsuit claiming wrongful death and seeking compensatory damages.

The lawsuit stated in part that “defendants' actions, or lack thereof, whether individually or simultaneously, caused a series of events that led to the catastrophic injuries and untimely death of Mariam Creighton.” »

According to Atlanta police, Creighton, an Albany State University student-athlete, was killed at Elleven45 when a gunman started shooting during a fight inside the club.

It happened around 2:30 a.m.

On Thursday night, sources said, a suspect was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Creighton and Nakyris Ridley, 20, were killed in the shooting and four others were injured. Police said Ridley was the intended target and the other victims were innocent bystanders.

APD sources confirmed Channel 2's Michael Seiden that an arrest was made.

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The lawsuit accuses the club of negligence and details how Creighton was an innocent bystander at the club that night, claiming the club allowed an armed person onto the premises.

“Defendants allowed one or more armed individuals to enter and remain inside the crowded premises for an extended period of time where alcohol was being served,” the lawsuit states.

He went on to explain that the club was “poorly maintained” and “dangerous”, and was a “haven for dangerous behavior”.

The lawsuit claims that if the club had taken reasonable steps, Creighton would still be alive.

“Defendants knew or should have known that failure to take appropriate and reasonable steps to mitigate the risk of violent criminal activity and/or deter criminal actors from entering and remaining on the premises would only increase the unreasonably high risk of violence for those who frequent the premises. premises, thereby further exposing Plaintiff to serious injury and/or death,” the lawsuit states. “If the defendants had taken reasonable steps, Mari Creighton would be alive today.”

Last month, Channel 2's Michael Seiden was in Henry County where he spoke with Creighton's family.

Family members say Creighton was out celebrating her niece's birthday the night of the shooting. His niece, 22 years old Taylor Holmeswas injured after being shot in the leg.

Creighton and Holmes' attorney released a statement on May 17 that said in part: “Mariam and Taylor were both patrons of the Elleven45 salon when police say an argument inside the club escalated into beatings. of fire in the early hours of Mother's Day on Sunday, May 12. (…) Mariam and Taylor were innocent bystanders and victims of an unacceptable tragedy.

The city of Atlanta is also taking legal action against the nightclub. In a lawsuit, the city of Atlanta sought a temporary restraining order to try to shut down the popular Peachtree Road nightclub.

According to the complaint filed May 24, city attorneys asked the courts to declare the business a public nuisance, saying it “failed to provide adequate security and safeguards to protect its customers and people found nearby.

The complaint also cites numerous incidents since 2020 in which “APD responded to at least 12 calls for service following fatal shootings, attempted shootings, stabbings, threats of harm, physical altercations, thefts and disturbances to public order”.

The hearing for the city's lawsuit will be held Thursday morning in Fulton County Superior Court.

The club made an Instagram post last month before the city's lawsuit was filed, saying it would close its doors effective May 12 to “review and improve” its safety protocols. The statement went on to say, “This deeply painful moment for our community was isolated and does not reflect the operational practices or safety record of our facility. »

Channel 2 Action News I contacted Elleven45 early Thursday morning to see if they had a response to the recent lawsuit and we are awaiting a response.

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