NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The pregnant woman shot and critically injured by a Nashville Walgreens employee last year announced a lawsuit against the retail giant Wednesday.
Travonsha Ferguson is seeking compensation for the long-term health problems she and her baby suffered after Ferguson was shot seven times in the store’s parking lot.
Ferguson was 7 months pregnant at the time and had been accused of shoplifting by Walgreens employee, Mitarius Boyd.
Boyd confronted Ferguson in the parking lot when she allegedly sprayed mace at him, Metro Police said. Boyd then shot Ferguson, according to police. He claimed self-defense and is not currently facing charges.
“Don’t have an employee go chasing after two young girls who are allegedly taking lipstick, and then shoot one of them seven times when you scare them at the back of their car, it’s insanity,” Ferguson’s attorney, L. Chris Stewart, said. “Ms. Ferguson did nothing at all to deserve to be shot this many times. A witness even said that it sounded like the full clip was emptied.”
One of the bullets hit near Ferguson’s stomach, forcing an emergency C-section to deliver the premature baby, lawyers claim, who ended up having a heart defect and “faces an increased risk of developmental disabilities going forward.”
“Ms. Ferguson survived the shooting but suffered permanent injuries and complications which will continue to cause her pain and suffering,” Ferguson’s attorney said in a media release. “Whether Ms. Ferguson was suspected of shoplifting or not, following her to the parking lot and shooting her multiple times was negligent and against policy, provided the employee had been trained properly, and Walgreens must be held accountable.”
Ferguson announced her lawsuit against Walgreens alongside her attorneys, mother Shantanica, and baby boy, Raheem.
“My daughter did not deserve for this to happen to her, it’s been a long ride and it’s not fair, she deserves justice,” Shantanica Ferguson said.
Boyd no longer works for Walgreens, the company said. When asked Wednesday, Walgreens chose not to comment on the lawsuit.
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