Family of bystander killed at Lions tailgate sues Eastern Market, security company

The family of a 40-year-old man who was killed last year at a tailgating event in Detroit is suing three companies in charge of running and managing the event, alleging their negligence contributed to his death.

On September 15, 2024, Rayshawn Palmer was attending a tailgating event at Eastern Market in Detroit just after a Detroit Lions game when a fight broke out. One individual involved in the altercation drew a gun and pointed it at another man, who responded by drawing his own gun and firing it in self-defense, killing the instigator. Mr. Palmer, who was not involved in the conflict but reportedly tried to de-escalate the situation, was also hit by the bullet and killed.

The attached lawsuit names Eastern Market Corporation and Bullseye Event Group, LLC as defendants in their roles as organizers and promoters of the event, as well as Shield Security Consultants and Protection Services, LLC, which was contracted to provide security at the tailgate. The complaint alleges the defendants knew about a history of fights and violence at these events, but did not do enough to prevent the shooting that killed Mr. Palmer.

A statement follows from Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney David Stechow:

“Rayshawn Palmer’s six children will now go through life without their father because of an act of violence that we believe was preventable. Our lawsuit alleges that, despite a history of fights and violent incidents at Eastern Market, the defendants moved forward with inadequate security that allowed violence to escalate into a shooting that killed a beloved father, son, brother and uncle. Mr. Palmer’s family has been absolutely devastated and will never be made whole again, but they are seeking justice and accountability in hopes that no one else has to endure the type of loss that they have.”