MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The family of a Little River woman who died after reportedly being shot while sitting in a car in the Myrtle Beach Mall parking lot in January filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the mall.
Frances Mae Davis was discovered shot in her daughter’s car the afternoon of January 8 when Davis’ daughter, Shelly Wells, returned to the vehicle after shopping inside the JCPenny department store at the Myrtle Beach Mall.
News13 obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which was filed March 29, and Davis’ family claims the Myrtle Beach Mall didn’t have adequate security staff or properly working surveillance cameras. In addition the suit alleges mall staff’s negligence led to Davis’ death.
“[Davis] was pronounced dead due to a gunshot wound to the head which occurred on [Myrtle Beach Mall] premises while [Davis] was waiting in the car at the Myrtle Beach Mall,” the lawsuit claims.
The document goes on to say, “That due to and as a result of the [Myrtle Beach Mall’s] negligence, gross negligence, and recklessness, including but not limited to negligent hiring, negligent training, and negligent retention of the [Myrtle Beach Mall] employees, who were acting or omitted from acting, within the course and scope of their employment, [Davis] suffered severe bodily injuries including her ultimate death.”
A statement released by the Maguire Law Firm on behalf of Davis’ family states:
Frances Mae Davis was an active, caring and hard-working woman. She was a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. Naturally the family is still trying to cope with this horrible loss. They are extremely grateful for all the kindness received from countless members of the community. We know that this tragedy was preventable and avoidable. Yet, there has been no accountability or responsibility taken. Going forward, the goal is to make sure that this type of senseless tragedy does not happen to any other innocent family in our community.
The family is seeking unspecified damages.
Horry County Police say no suspects have been named in Davis’ murder.
