Family of 18-year-old killed in shooting at DISD basketball game plans to sue district, attorney says

The mother of an 18-year-old who was fatally shot at a high school basketball game between two DISD schools earlier this month plans to sue the district, an attorney for the family says Wednesday.

Marc Strickland died Saturday, a week after he had been shot at the Jan. 11 game between South Oak Cliff and Kimball high schools held at the Ellis Davis Field House.

Attorney Justin Moore, who says he’s representing Strickland’s mother, Monique Mitchell, announced at a news conference Wednesday that he plans to file a lawsuit against the district.

Strickland’s family, who did not attend the news conference, believes his death could have been prevented if metal detectors had been used to screen people before the game, Moore said.

Moore, who said the lawsuit will be filed as possible, described how Strickland’s mother is struggling with the sudden loss of her son.

“She’s going through that, but she’s also trying to make sure that his legacy doesn’t end up dying in vain — making sure that the school district is being held accountable for his loss,” Moore said.

He said the district had showed “disregard for the lives” of the people who attended the game.

“We fully want to hold the school district and those who work for the school district — as well as the school board trustees — liable for the death of Mr. Strickland because we believe his blood is on their hands,” he said.

A district spokeswoman declined to comment on the family’s plan to sue, saying the district doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

School officials have said a walk-through metal detector at the field house wasn’t in use to screen people coming to the Jan. 11 game. About 650 people were at the game that night, officials have said.

Dallas ISD said it would increase its use of metal detectors and promised tighter security after the shooting.

People who attend the game were sent scrambling for the exits when the gunfire broke out in the third quarter, video capturing the chaos showed.

A Dallas ISD officer was grazed by a bullet fragment during the shooting. Officials said they expected her to make a full recovery.

A 15-year-old Dallas ISD student faces a murder charge in connection with Strickland’s death. The teenager turned himself in to police the day after the shooting.

A wake for Strickland will be at 7 p.m. Friday, and his funeral is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, both at the Eternal Rest Funeral Home in DeSoto.