WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Six families who lost relatives at the Washington Navy Yard two years ago say someone has to pay for the shooting they allege was completely avoidable.
The families filed multi-million dollar wrongful death lawsuits claiming the Department of Defense contractors that hired Aaron Alexis, HP Enterprise Services LLC and its subcontractor The Experts, Inc., should have known about his violent background and unstable mental condition. The gunman was paranoid, heard voices, and thought a chip was implanted in his head.
The six families join the first who filed suit back in December 2013. The family of 51-year-old mother of two Mary Knight Is suing the Navy and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for "negligent hiring, supervision, retention, discharge and investigation" of Alexis.
Records show Alexis had several gun violations and known anger problems but still received an honorable discharge from the Navy. He allegedly sought mental health services from the VA just one month before the shooting, but still held on to his security clearance that allowed him inside Building 197 that fateful day.
Knight's family is seeking $37.5 million.
The family of 53-year-old Sylvia Fraser who "always had a smile on her face" is asking for $25 million. Father and Redskins fan Kenneth Proctor's survivors want $20 million. The widow of Arthur Daniels, who pushed his boss out of the line of fire, is suing for $10 million. Families of 73-year-old John Johnson who "loved people and loved to work," Frank Kohler a dad and avid outdoorsman and former Maryland State Police Trooper Richard Ridgell are also seeking $10 million in damages.
The defendants will not comment on the pending lawsuits but the government contractor is no longer working with Florida-based The Experts, Inc, the company that hired the gunman.
Like this story? Like us onFacebook
