Poker Player Sues Florida Card Club After Shooting

November 25, 2024

A poker player who was shot numerous times outside a Florida card club following a victorious session is suing the establishment for not sufficiently ensuring his safety. 

Karruah Parkinson sustained severe injuries in the parking area of Bestbet, a parimutuel venue located in the Jacksonville suburb of Orange Park, on November 23, 2022, according to local channel News4Jax. 

That night, Parkinson earned approximately $6,000 at the poker table. While cashing out, he left a number of poker chips on the table for other players in a generous gesture, his attorney, Okoye Morgan, informed the news station. 

Morgan stated that some of those players exited the venue and shot him. 

‘Lack of Security’ 

“As he is trying to basically escape this shooting, he goes up to a security car or security stand or security post to try to flag down a security officer to no avail,” Morgan said. “There was no security officer there.”

The police subsequently discovered Parkinson in his vehicle, which was covered in bullet holes. He was swiftly taken to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. Parkinson is continuing to recover both physically and mentally from the experience. He continues to experience intense pain due to the seriousness of the injuries to his arms and stomach. Morgan stated that the bullets came near his internal organs.

"Those facilities should have adequate security to protect its patrons,” Morgan said. “We believe that the security was inadequate, and they owed our client a duty to protect him, and they failed.

“I will tell you what – [Parkinson] is not interested in visiting a casino again,” Morgan added. “It has affected him, his mental health first of all. It is just a nightmare situation for anybody to survive and have to live through. It has affected his overall health.”

Police Continue Their Inquiry 

Although the Orange Park police have not arrested anyone in the case, they informed News4Jax that they are continuing to investigate three individuals connected to the shooting. A spokesperson for Bestbet stated that it is the company's policy to refrain from making comments about an ongoing investigation. 

In February 2024, a second armed robbery took place outside the venue as a player left the property with approximately $20,000 in winnings. As he neared his vehicle, a man pointed a gun at his head and removed $7,000 from his jacket pocket, according to news reports that were current. 

Authorities subsequently apprehended 21-year-old Sean Evans related to the event after he dropped his phone while escaping.