A man who was shot and killed during the filming of a Lil Baby music video in Atlanta is suing several companies involved in the production, seeking more than $600,000 in damages due to alleged negligence.
On May 14, 2024, Kevin Mares was working on a music video for the Grammy-winning rapper when two unidentified individuals opened fire near the set
The incident occurred at a shopping plaza on Verbena Street in Atlanta, and Mares was hit in the neck.
The lawsuit alleges that Shotclock, LLC, the production company that oversaw the shoot, and Quality Control Music, LLC, Lil Baby’s management company, failed to provide adequate security.
It also targets two security companies hired for the event, Cannon Executive Protection Agency, LLC and Tactical Elite Protection Services, LLC, for allegedly subcontracting security services without appropriate approvals and failing to provide adequately trained personnel .
The complaint alleges that the defendants had a duty to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the production, including Mares, but failed to do so.
The documents allege that the companies “negligently failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the performance, training and staffing of certain security services required for international recording artist productions” and that their conduct resulted in Mares’ “serious and permanent damage”.
Mares’ attorney, Peter A. Law, claimed the defendant had prior knowledge of the dangers of the area, which has a history of violent crime.
“Defendants knew or should have known that a large number of violent crimes were occurring in the surrounding area,” the lawsuit states, adding that security personnel failed to prevent loitering and trespassers from entering the location.
Mares is seeking compensation for medical expenses, expected to exceed $680,000, including pain and suffering, lost income and reduced ability to work.
The lawsuit also seeks punitive damages, claiming the defendants acted with “conscious disregard for consequences.”
Lil Baby is not named in the lawsuit.