News & Events

Chicago, October 28, 2013

Skiko Wins Summary Judgment for Security Services Client

On December 8, 2006, an armed gunman entered 500 W. Madison, also known as the Ogilvie Transportation Center or the Citibank Center, in Chicago. He approached an unarmed security guard employed by Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's security service client, holding a manila envelope he said contained a gun. The gunman told the guard he would not see his wife and children alive if he did not assist the gunman in reaching the 38th floor. The guard complied. Upon arrival on the 38th floor with our client's guard, the gunman shot three people to death and seriously injured another woman. The Chicago SWAT team ultimately shot the gunman to death while he held a gun to a hostage's head. 

The decedents' families and the injured woman sued building management and our client for failing to prevent the shootings. Last week, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kathy Flanagan entered an order granting summary judgment to all parties except the estate of the gunman, finding that neither building management nor our client owed the plaintiffs a duty to prevent the crime, and that there was no causal connection between our client's acts or omission and the plaintiffs' claimed damages.

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Peter G. Skiko, a member of and frequent speaker for the international security trade organization ASIS, has represented security service companies for more than 10 years and handled our client's defense. Partner Anthony J. Monaco and Associate Megan E. Schneider assisted. 

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