Richland County convenience store pays heir and beneficiary $1 million.

Corey Donovan Smith, a resident of Florence, South Carolina, died as a result of a gunshot wound following an incident that occurred on December 19, 2020. The incident occurred at Motor City Market convenience store on Fairfield Road in Richland County, SC.

The shopkeepers of Motor City Market sold alcohol to intoxicated and armed patrons who consumed the purchased alcohol in the parking lot of the store. These intoxicated individuals reentered the store to buy snacks and, while at the checkout counter, made contact with one of the passengers in Corey Smith’s vehicle. The intoxicated individuals responded aggressively, confronting and threatening Mr. Smith’s passengers. At one point in the checkout line, one of the intoxicated patrons lifted his shirt to brandish a pistol while facing the shopkeeper. The passengers tried to diffuse the situation by heading for their car where Mr. Smith and another passenger were waiting. As they stood outside, but in view of the shopkeeper, they continued to be threatened by the intoxicated individuals. When they attempted to get into their car, shots were fired and Mr. Smith was shot while he was seated in the driver’s seat of his vehicle and another passenger was also shot. Mr. Smith died at the scene and the passenger died at the hospital.

Harpootlian Law brought suit against the convenience store owner for negligently selling alcohol to the intoxicated and violent perpetrators of this crime and contributing to this tragedy. Motor City Market settled the case for $1 million.

Mr. Smith’s family was represented by Dick Harpootlian and  Phil Barber of Richard A. Harpootlian, P.A.

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