Woman accidentally shot amid firefight at cell phone store files suit

A Chicago woman shot twice accidentally by the operator of a cell phone store defending against intruders has sued the store and the shooter.

Masi Kadzai, of Chicago, filed suit filed May 4 in Cook County Circuit Court against 95th Wireless Inc. and an unnamed defendant, alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, the unnamed defendant worked at a Boost Mobile store operated by the defendantat 9451 S. Ashland St., in Chicago's Longwood Manor neighborhood. On Jan. 30, as Kadzai was paying her phone bill at the store, she alleges the unnamed defendant and two other employees rushed from the back of the store, firearms in hand, and told her to "get down."

The suit says assailants with black ski masks entered the store and Kadzai ducked behind a store display with the unnamed defendant.

The defendant allegedly then began firing his weapon at the intruders, the lawsuit states, and in the process "negligently shot the plaintiff in the upper left arm and left chest."

The suit complains the defendant failed to provide a safe environment; fired a weapon that caused the plaintiff injury; failed to warn the plaintiff he would be firing in that direction; and failed to provide warning for customers about the unsafe firing of his weapon.

The plaintiff cites negligence and respondeat superior.

Kadzai seeks damages of more than $200,000, plus costs. She is represented by attorney Standish E. Willis, of Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-4588.