Politics & Government
Family Sues Ben E. Keith For $25M In Shooting Rampage
The family of a man gunned down at the Ben E. Keith Food Distribution Warehouse last month said the company failed to protect its employees.
HOUSTON, TX -- The family of a man who was gunned down by an employee at the Ben E. Keith Food Distribution Warehouse last month has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the Ben E. Keith Company in Missouri City, officials said Wednesday.
The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of the family of Francisco Reyes by attorney Benny Agosto, Jr, alleges that Ben E. Keith failed to provide a safe working environment for its employees.
“The duty to make the property safe for their employees and invitees was reasonable and necessary, but unfortunately it was ignored. Ben E. Keith Company failed to provide adequate security for its employees and this tragic and preventable shooting was the result,” Agosto said in a written statement.
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In a press release issued on Wednesday, Agosto alleges that Ben E. Keith had employed a security company in response to threats of workplace violence until a month before the shooting rampage.
Officials with Ben E. Keith were contacted about this lawsuit, and have not responded to media inquiries.
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On Aug. 20., Kristine Peralez, who was employed at the warehouse, walked into the warehouse at about 2:30 a.m. armed with a semi-automatic handgun.
Witnesses said Peralez shot Reyes several times and then shot Fedencio Janas in the leg before running outside the warehouse.
Peralez was mortally wounded during a gun battle with police, and died a short time later at an area hospital.
Hours later a chilling video was released that was recorded by Peralez as she walked into the warehouse. In the video, Peralez appears to apologize to her family for what she is about to do.
Police have not indicated if there was a motive for the shooting. The shooting is under investigation by the Missouri City Police Department.
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