33-Year-Old Sofronie Hartzog Shot and Killed Outside Crown Heights Lounge in Brooklyn: What Are the Legal Options for Victims and Families?
Shooting Outside Crown Heights Lounge Leaves Sofronie Hartzog Dead: Was Inadequate Security to Blame?
BROOKLYN, NY. — Sofronie Hartzog, 33, a mother of five, was fatally shot outside a bar and lounge in Crown Heights early Sunday morning, according to police. Hartzog was shot in the back and ran into the nearby Oh La La Lounge seeking help before later dying at a hospital.
Police said an argument began around 2:30 a.m. near Bergen Street and Howard Avenue before shots were fired into the crowd. A 34-year-old man was also wounded and remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Hartzog’s five children range in age from 6 to 18. Her family said she was out enjoying a night away when the shooting occurred. Relatives described her as a devoted mother and caregiver who worked with people with disabilities.
The shooter remains at large, and no arrests have been reported. Police recovered multiple shell casings and continue investigating while seeking witnesses and surveillance footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish-language assistance.
Were you or a loved one recently injured in a shooting, violent crime, or harmed by negligence anywhere in the United States? You don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Contact The Warlick Firm today to speak with someone about your rights, get answers, and explore your options. We represent clients on a contingency basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Source:“Mother of 5 dead after shooting in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, police say”, CBS News New York, August 2026.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Shooting at a Bar or Commercial Property in New York or Across the U.S.?
Georgia Victims – Incidents of violence at bars, clubs, and commercial properties raise severe concerns about patron safety and physical property security measures.
When violent incidents occur, important legal questions may arise regarding whether property owners or operators took reasonable steps to help prevent foreseeable harm.
- Were appropriate security measures in place at the time of the incident?
- Was on-site security present and properly positioned?
- Were surveillance systems operational and monitored?
- Had prior criminal activity been reported at or near the property?
- Was lighting sufficient to enhance visibility and deter crime?
In some situations, victims and their families may question whether negligent security or premises liability factors contributed to the incident—particularly if it occurred in a location where preventative measures may have reduced the risk.
If you or someone you love was harmed in a violent crime, shooting, or negligent incident in the United States, we are here to help. If you have questions, need support, or want to speak with someone about your rights as a victim, contact The Warlick Firm today. We offer legal assistance, if desired, and represent clients on a contingency agreement—meaning no fees are owed unless we recover for you.
Violence at bars, clubs, and other commercial properties can leave devastating, lasting impacts on victims and their families. When violence erupts in shared spaces, it raises questions about whether property management maintained the proper security measures and safety protocols needed to prevent such tragedies.
For those hurt during a violent crime, understanding whether a property owner or operator may have failed to provide adequate security can be important. Victims of shootings at bars, nightclubs, and other commercial properties may have potential grounds for a premises liability or negligent security claim, depending on the facts uncovered during the investigation. Knowing your rights early may help protect access to medical care, financial recovery, and legal support. If you or a loved one were injured, speaking with an experienced premises liability attorney can help you better understand possible next steps and available compensation.
Under New York premises liability law, property owners and managers have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions, which includes providing adequate security against foreseeable criminal acts. When property managers fail to address known safety risks, injured parties may have grounds to pursue a negligent security claim.
Were you or a loved one injured in another state? While state laws differ, property owners across the country can be held accountable when safety failures lead to violent crime or serious injury. Contact The Warlick Firm to evaluate your incident—we can help clarify your state’s premises liability standards and connect you with the legal representation you need.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does it cost to hire The Warlick Firm for a premises liability or victim representation case?
Nothing out of pocket. We work strictly on a contingency fee basis. We advance all costs required to investigate and litigate your case, and you never pay any attorney fees or expenses unless we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or court verdict.
Do you only handle cases in Georgia?
No. While our primary office is headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia, we assist victims nationwide. Regardless of which state your incident occurred in, our network evaluates claims and provides legal guidance to help victims across all 50 states access the justice and compensation they deserve.
Can your firm handle a negligent security or violent crime case if the incident occurred outside of Georgia?
Yes. While our primary office is headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia, we represent survivors and families in high-stakes violent crime and premises liability matters across the United States. Complex multi-state claims can be handled directly, through official permission from out-of-state courts.
What compensation can victims of negligent security pursue in New York?
Victims injured in violent crimes due to inadequate security may seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing rehabilitation costs.
Do you only represent victims of gun shootings?
No. We represent survivors and families impacted by all forms of violent crime resulting from inadequate security. In addition to firearm violence, our team handles cases involving physical assaults, stabbings, sexual assaults, armed robberies, and wrongful death. If you suffered harm due to a preventable violent act, we are here to support you.
Can I file a negligent security claim if the shooting or injury happened outside of Georgia?
Yes. While state laws differ, property owners across the United States have a legal obligation to protect residents and visitors from foreseeable violent crime. If safety failures led to an injury outside of Georgia, The Warlick Firm can evaluate your case, help clarify your state’s premises liability laws, and guide you toward the proper legal representation to secure compensation.
Do you offer legal assistance for Spanish speaking clients?
Yes. We provide bilingual support to ensure Spanish-speaking victims and their families can comfortably navigate the legal process. From your initial free consultation through every step of your case, we offer clear communication in Spanish so language is never a barrier to justice.
How long do victims or families have to sue a property owner in NYC?
In New York, you generally have 3 years from the date of the shooting to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private property owner, and 2 years for a wrongful death claim. If public property or a municipal entity is involved, strict notice deadlines apply much sooner.
I got shot outside a bodega or take-out spot in the Bronx—who pays my hospital bill?
If the business or commercial landlord failed to fix broken lights, install cameras, or address known violent activity, you can file a negligent security claim against the property owner to cover emergency surgery, ICU costs, and hospital bills from facilities like Jacobi or Lincoln Hospital.
Is a bar liable if an argument escalates into a shooting inside or directly outside the venue?
Potentially. If the business was aware of a dangerous confrontation and had a reasonable chance to respond, those circumstances could potentially support a negligent security or premises liability claim.
Can the family of someone killed in a shooting file a lawsuit?
Potentially. Certain surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim when a person’s death was caused by another party’s negligence or other legally actionable conduct. The specific people who can bring a claim and the damages available depend on New York law and the circumstances of the death.
What happens if the shooter has not been arrested?
A victim or family may still have other potential legal options. A civil claim can involve different legal questions from a criminal prosecution, including whether another party’s negligence or inadequate security contributed to the injuries or death.
Can I sue the private security company if their guards failed to stop a bar fight?
Possibly. In many cases, nightlife venues and shopping centers contract out to third-party security companies. If a security company negligently hires untrained guards, fails to run proper background checks, or if the guards abandon their posts or fail to intervene during an escalating altercation, that company can potentially be held directly liable for the victim’s injuries.
Could previous violence near a bar affect a negligent security claim?
It could. Evidence of prior crimes or dangerous incidents may be relevant when determining whether a particular threat was reasonably foreseeable and whether additional precautions may have been appropriate. Each incident must be evaluated based on its own facts.
Can I get a free consultation before hiring a lawyer?
Often, yes. Many personal injury and wrongful death attorneys offer an initial consultation at no charge so you can discuss what happened and learn whether you may have a claim. Request Your free Consultation to discuss your situation and understand your options.
Do I have to pay a lawyer upfront?
Usually, no. With a contingency fee arrangement, attorney fees are generally paid from the compensation recovered in your case rather than through upfront legal fees. Request your free consultation to discuss your situation, learn about your options, and find out whether a contingency fee arrangement may be available for your case.
Stand Up for Your Rights Today: Request Your Free Consultation
Taking the first step toward justice should never feel intimidating or financially burdensome. Whether a violent incident occurred in metropolitan Atlanta, across Georgia, or anywhere in the United States, our legal team is ready to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into the security failures that led to your injury.
We handle every case on a strict contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs, no retainers, and no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
- Call Our Office Directly: 678-668-7000
- Visit Our Headquarters: 103 Bowles Dr, Woodstock, GA 30188
- Online Case Evaluation: Complete our secure online contact form to schedule your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Were you recently injured in a shooting, violent crime, or harmed due to someone’s negligence? Have questions, need support, or want to speak with someone about your rights as a victim? Contact us today. We offer our legal assistance, if desired. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover.
When safety failures occur, the impact can be permanent. Read more about how Georgia Victims supports survivors and families across Georgia and the U.S. after violent incidents and acts of negligence. Violence in public and commercial spaces can lead to serious legal questions, especially when a victim requires a specialized catastrophic injury lawyer to navigate long-term medical needs and secure full financial recovery. Read more about the East Point MARTA station shooting and The recent bear spray incident at the Cobb County Embassy Suites, understanding your potential legal rights and premises liability options is a crucial next step.
Location of the shooting that killed Sofronie Hartzog near Bergen Street and Howard Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
