A Galveston jury concluded that the parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, accused of the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, are not financially responsible for the tragedy, though they awarded the victims’ families over $300 million in damages. The decision has sparked debate over accountability and highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and mental health in the U.S.
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — On Monday, a jury concluded that the parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the former student who is accused of murdering ten individuals at Santa Fe High School in 2018, are not financially responsible for the tragic incident.
The decision was reached following a three-week trial that was initiated by a lawsuit filed by the families of the victims.
The lawsuit aimed to hold Antonios Pagourtzis and Rose Marie Kosmetatos, Pagourtzis' parents, culpable for the shooting.
The attorneys for the victims contended that the parents did not take the requisite steps to prevent their son from accessing their firearms and did not provide the requisite support for his mental health during the trial.
Attorney Clint McGuire, who represented the victims, thought that it was imperative to hold the parents accountable for their involvement in this tragedy. He shares that the victims think that the parents should have made sure that their son got the help he needed and that their guns were safe.
The jury also held Lucky Gunner, an online retailer based in Tennessee, partially responsible for the incident. Lucky Gunner sold Dimitrios Pagourtzis over 100 rounds of ammunition without verifying his age. Last year, the company settled with the victims' families and was subsequently dismissed from the lawsuit.
Ultimately, jurors attributed the murder to Dimitrios Pagourtzis and a firearms ammunition retailer despite the arguments that were presented.
The jury awarded the families over $300 million in damages, including compensation for mental anguish and suffering.
The nation was astonished by the Santa Fe High School murder on May 18, 2018, which reignited debates regarding mental health awareness and gun control. The incident resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including eight students and two teachers, and the injuries of 13 others.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, numerous supporters have advocated for the implementation of more stringent gun control measures and increased mental health resources to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.
The decision has elicited a variety of responses from the community. Some argue that the focus should remain on the actions of the gunman, while others argue that holding the parents accountable would have set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Galveston County Court at Law Judge Jack Ewing finished the trial with a striking remark about child safety. We must safeguard youngsters. "School safety is important," Ewing added,” They must feel safe at home. That message will travel beyond this courtroom. We hope our legislators hear it."
The jury's decision underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding gun violence and mental health in the United States, and the Santa Fe High School massacre remains a painful chapter in Texas history.
