Little Harlem, murder suspect, others named

The mother of the 20-year-old shot and killed more than two years ago at a Hardin Street Club in Opp is suing the club, and a host of others.

Demetrice Hines was killed by gunfire in the Little Harlem Club on June 8, 2014.

He was shot in his torso.

April Phillips, mother of Hines, names Little Harlem Inc., Strong Arm Security, Zamorian Walker, Derrick Williams, Kanavis Malik Cole, who is charged with murder in the criminal case, Latasha Davis and Tanya Davis, and claims that they negligently or wantonly provided or failed to provide security at the facility in which her son was shot and killed.

Walker and Williams own Strong Arm Security.

According to the complaint, Latasha and Tanya Davis organized a birthday party at the club.

“Upon information and belief, Latasha Davis, Tanya Davis and/or Little Harlem and/or fictitious defendants A-Z retained the services of Strong Arm Security and/or Zamorian Walker and/or Derrick Williams and/or fictitious defendants A-Z to provide security for the gathering, because each of them knew there was a significant chance of violence during the party,” the complaint reads.

It also alleges that the security provided was grossly inadequate or non-existent and that patrons said they were not searched for weapons when they entered the club.

Additionally, the suit claims there had been other incidents of violence at Little Harlem and the area in Opp that brought the need for security and these acts were known to all defendants and fictitious defendants and that the same were likely to occur again.

At the time, it was the third violent crime in the area in a period of three years, according to Star-News archives.

The complaint says that Cole entered Little Harlem with a firearm and got into a dispute with someone other than the decedent.

“Upon information and belief, Mr. Cole and/or fictitious defendants A-Z fired shots which struck and killed Demetrice Lawon Hines Jr.”

The claim also says that the security team left the Little Harlem Club when the shooting began.

Phillips is suing for two counts – negligence and/or wantonness in the wrongful death or Hines and combined and concurring negligence/wantonness.