Texas Jury Holds Parent 75% Liable in Teen Shooting
A Texas jury recently returned a verdict that has drawn widespread attention across the state. In a civil case arising from a December 23, 2023, shooting in Friendswood, jurors awarded just over $60 million in damages and found a parent 75% responsible for the actions of her 17-year-old son. The jury also found gross negligence, an uncommon and serious legal finding.
The case involved the fatal shooting of Ethan Riley and the non-fatal shooting of Benjamin Bliek. While the shooter, Connor Hilton, later pled guilty in criminal court, the civil trial focused on whether the tragedy was foreseeable and preventable.
The Gun and the Warning Signs
Evidence presented at trial showed that the shooter had a history of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. His phone contained social media posts expressing an obsession with violence and killing, and he had previously been reported to school officials for concerning content.
Forty-nine days before the shooting, the shooter’s mother purchased a .38 revolver and a gun safe. Despite those precautions, evidence showed the gun was not secured. Just nine days after the purchase, she discovered her son had accessed the safe and removed the gun and ammunition. Text messages showed her asking where the gun and bullets were, messages he ignored.
Although she testified that she changed the safe’s combination and hid the ammunition separately, evidence showed the new safe code matched her phone passcode — a code her son already knew. Witnesses and photos found on Connor’s phone also showed the gun was frequently accessible in the home.
The Night of the Shooting
On the evening of December 23, 2023, Ring doorbell footage showed three teens arriving at the home shortly before 9 p.m. Within minutes, the shooter walked out of the house after firing multiple shots inside.
Ethan Riley and Benjamin Bliek were shot. A third teen survived after locking himself in a bathroom and calling 911. The shooter later said he did not fire through the bathroom door because he feared the consequences of shooting blindly.
After the shooting, he sat on the curb and waited for the police. During interrogation, he admitted he had wanted to shoot someone for a long time and planned to kill whoever came over that night. He later pled guilty and received a 50-year prison sentence.
The Lawsuit and the Legal Theory
Ethan Riley’s parents, represented by The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers, filed a civil lawsuit. The case focused on parental liability rather than the shooter’s criminal responsibility, which had already been established.
The plaintiffs argued the shooting was foreseeable based on the shooter’s mental health history, prior access to the firearm, and the failure to securely store the gun. They also presented evidence that the home was frequently used as a gathering place for teens.
The claims included negligent supervision, negligent entrustment, and gross negligence, which requires proof of conscious disregard for an extreme risk of harm.
The Jury’s Decision
After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of more than $60,000,000 in damages. More notably, jurors allocated responsibility in a way that has captured widespread attention. They assigned 75% of the fault to the shooter’s mother and 25% to the shooter himself. The jury also found that her conduct amounted to gross negligence.
Such an allocation is highly unusual, particularly when the shooter was 17 years old. The verdict reflects the jury’s conclusion that his mother’s actions — including the purchase and storage of the firearm — played a substantial role in bringing about the tragedy.
The Significance of the Verdict
This verdict stands out both in Texas and nationally. Civil juries rarely assign greater fault to a parent than to a teenage shooter, and findings of gross negligence in firearm access cases are uncommon.
The case sends a clear message about responsibility, particularly when firearms are involved. It underscores that parents may face civil liability when they knowingly allow access to deadly weapons despite clear warning signs. The outcome also highlights the role civil courts can play in addressing accountability, even when criminal punishment has already occurred.
For families affected by gun violence, the verdict demonstrates how civil law can recognize harm and enforce standards intended to prevent similar tragedies.
Learn more about this case:
https://i45.disciplemedia.com/posts/7893 (The Daily News)
https://www.galvnews.com/news/jury-finds-negligence-in-friendswood-teen-civil-trial-awards-60-million/article_2edf06f3-fd65-5456-91b7-254df6cc0668.html (Case Verdict Video)
Contact The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Friendswood Personal Injury Attorney
As this case demonstrates, civil law can play a powerful role when negligence contributes to devastating harm. From unsafe firearm storage and ignored warning signs to questions of parental responsibility, these cases often involve complex legal and factual issues that require careful investigation and strong advocacy.
If your family has been affected by a serious injury or wrongful death in Texas, legal guidance can help you understand your options. Contact The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Friendswood personal injury attorney.
Please contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas:
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston Office
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 207-9299
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood Office
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-8633
