Mother, widow of Huguenot graduation shooting victims files wrongful death lawsuits against school officials

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The mother and widow of the two people killed in the June 2023 Huguenot High School graduation shooting has filed two wrongful death lawsuits against the Richmond City School Board and other related school officials, seeking over $26 million in damages.

According to court documents obtained by 8News, Tameeka Jackson-Smith has filed two federal lawsuits — one for each of the loved ones she lost on June 6, 2023.

Both her son, 18-year-old Shawn Jackson, and her husband, 36-year-old Lorenzo Smith, were shot and killed outside of the Altria Theater following Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony.

Jackson was shot and killed by Amari Pollard, who was 19 at the time. He has since been found guilty of that murder. As of now, it is not known who shot and killed Smith.

In the lawsuit regarding Jackson’s murder, allegations are made that the school district knowingly put Jackson in danger.

“Before Shawn Jackson was murdered, the Defendants knew the dangers that Shawn Jackson faced with his family,” the complaint reads. “But the Defendants did nothing to protect them or other graduation attendees.”

An investigation into the graduation ceremony by third-party law firm Sands Anderson found multiple security and personnel flaws. This same investigation uncovered that Jackson was not cleared to attend graduation due to security risks posed to him.

These same reported issues are noted within both complaints as supporting evidence.

Jackson-Smith is seeking damages totaling $15.35 million for Jackson’s death — $15 million in survival and wrongful death damages, as well as $350,000 in punitive damages. She is also suing for funeral, burial and loss of financial support expenses, among other related legal fees.

In the lawsuit regarding Smith’s murder, the complaint lays out similar accusations that Smith’s life was similarly risked by negligence on behalf of school officials. On Smith’s behalf, Jackson-Smith is suing for the same sorts of expenses and fees as she is for Jackson — however, she is seeking $11 million in survival and wrongful death damages in her late husband’s case.

RPS Superintendant Jason Kamras, former Huguenot High principal Robert Gilstrap, former Huguenot High assistant principal Kevin Olds and Huguenot High guidance counselor Monique Harris are named defendants alongside the school board.

According to the court documents, Jackson-Smith is seeking a trial by jury.

This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.

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