Mother files wrongful death suit in shooting of son

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999 | 2:43 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS - A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed over the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy during a teen "rave" party last year.

The lawsuit was filed Monday by Teresa Flores, the mother of Gerardo Enrique Mejia, against the Casa Tequila restaurant.

The legal action, filed through attorney Joe Scalia, alleges the club overlooked drinking by underage participants and gave "free rein to consume drugs."

Police concluded that Mejia, a student at Clark High School, was either caught in the crossfire or was a victim of a gang-related incident. The lawsuit said the teen-ager's death was "later determined to have been a mistake."

The Jan. 1, 1998, slaying occurred just minutes after the new year was sounded and those attending the private party in the restaurant were celebrating. The term rave refers generally to parties attended by dozens of teen-agers that feature all-night dancing at large facilities often in out-of-the-way locations.

Police said a fight broke out and Mejia was shot in the chest. He collapsed outside the door and died from the single gunshot wound.

The birthday party was attended by at least 300 people, most of them juveniles, police said after the incident.

While the victim was only 17, he carried an identification card that showed he was over 21, police said.