Trio of lawsuits possible in Club Blu mass shooting

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The family of Sean Archilles, the 14-year-old boy who was one of two killed in the Club Blu mass shooting, has retained Fort Myers attorney Dennis L. Webb, the lawyer said.

That means the families of both of the teenagers who died in the shooting now have legal representation. Webb said he’ll collaborate with Fort Myers attorney Joe North, who’s representing Stef’an Strawder’s family as they consider a wrongful death lawsuit against Club Blu and Carrell Corners, the shopping plaza where the club is located.

North is also representing Sharrell Strawder, Stef’an Strawder’s sister, who was shot in the leg. Terry Pannell and Brandy McLaughlin, two of the security guards for Club Blu the night of the shooting, also plan to file suit against the club.

A statement from Webb didn’t explicitly say whether the Archilles family would press charges, instead thanking the community for an outpouring of support and making note of funeral arrangements for Sean Archilles, who’ll be laid to rest Aug. 6.

Still, the attorney’s hiring represents a step forward in the legal fallout from the attack at the club that killed two and wounded 18 others. Three persons of interest have bonded out of jail, and Fort Myers interim police chief Dennis Eads said Wednesday that the investigation encompasses several possible suspects.