Family of man fatally shot at Club Empire wants damages in excess of $15,000

YBOR CITY - An Ybor City club, shut down after months of violence, may have to pay up.

The family of 20-year-old Leslie Jones, fatally shot at Club Empire last October, is suing the club for damages exceeding $15,000. The lawsuit claims negligence, arguing the club didn't properly screen or protect patrons.

"My son did not deserve to die. He did not deserve his life to be taken," Sharon Jones said.  "It's like a nightmare I can't wake up from."

Police records show at least 100 calls to the club in 2011. The lawsuit alleges drugs, burglary, battery, and finally a gun carried inside, used to shoot Jones.

"Security needs to step up their game and do the right thing, and this club owner needs to do the right thing. This boy has a family," said Jones' godmother, Ericka Lewis.

Jones' family plans to use the money to care for his five children, one of whom is an unborn daughter, due in three months.

"My grandkids have to be taken care of because their daddy's not here to do it," Sharon said.

The lawsuit, according to Sharon, wasn't something she'd always planned in the wake of her son's death. In fact, she says, it could've been avoided.

"Never even said they were sorry. Nothing," she cried. "Probably would've made a difference then, but nothing you say to me now makes a difference to me now."