KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Following a deputy’s involvement in a shooting that occurred in front of a Target store in Kissimmee in April 2022, which resulted in one man’s death and three other men being injured, a lawsuit has been lodged against the Target Corporation.
The incident with the gunfire took place on April 27, 2022, in the parking lot of the Target store located in Kissimmee on United States Highway 192.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (OSCO) attempted a “takedown” in the parking lot, which resulted in bullets being fired inside a vehicle after the deputies from Osceola County reported that two guys wearing masks stole pizza and Pokémon cards.
Jayden Baez was shot, and he passed away at the hospital a short time later. Michael Gomez, Joseph Lowe, and Ian Joi were the other people that were hurt in the incident.
Both Lowe and Gomez were at first arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft, but the prosecution ultimately decided not to pursue those charges.
The lawsuit, which was filed in March, argues that Target was negligent in keeping a safe business and that it conspired with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in enabling the men to be “test subjects” in OCSO’s training exercise. The lawsuit also alleges that Target colluded with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in allowing the men to be “test subjects” in OCSO’s training exercise.
In addition, the Baez family is suing Target for wrongful death over Baez’s passing.
The lawsuit requests that a jury hear the case and asks for damages of more than fifty thousand dollars, although it does not specify a particular sum.
In an effort to obtain comment on the lawsuit, FOX 35 has reached out to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office as well as Target.
Prior to the shooting, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office had previously stated that deputies were participating in a training exercise in a neighboring parking lot before the incident occurred.
According to what OCSO had stated in the past, the deputies were dressed in tactical attire and did not have their body-worn cameras on since they were participating in training.
A third-party investigation into the activities of the deputies was ordered by Sheriff Lopez, and it was carried out by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) finished its investigation more than eight months ago, according to a statement released by the sheriff’s office.
“The details of that investigation are not currently available for public consumption,” stated a representative for State Attorney Monique Worrell’s office. Once the results of the inquiry have been compiled, you can count on us to give a comprehensive report.
