On the night of July 15, 2020, Zion Lamar, a 20-year-old resident of Pompano Beach, Florida, was tragically shot and killed at a Solo Gas Station located at 560 W. Sample Road. The incident occurred around 11:52 p.m. when an altercation broke out among several individuals at the gas station. Although Lamar was not involved in the altercation, he was struck by a bullet during the commotion. Upon arrival, deputies found Lamar outside the business suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was transported by Pompano Beach Fire Rescue to Broward Health North, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Lamar's death led to the arrest of Lonzo Miller Jr., a 20-year-old from Deerfield Beach. Miller was apprehended on January 18, 2021, by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals. He was charged with manslaughter and is currently being held in the Broward County Main Jail. Detectives determined that Miller shot Lamar during the altercation, although Lamar was not a participant in the dispute.
In addition to the criminal investigation, a civil lawsuit was filed against the gas station operator for negligent security. The Haggard Law Firm secured a $1 million pre-suit settlement on behalf of Lamar's family. The lawsuit argued that the gas station failed to comply with mandatory safety requirements and had a history of daily drug dealing, public intoxication, and violence on the premises. The lack of functioning surveillance cameras and the failure of the gas station clerk to respond to the commotion were highlighted as significant factors contributing to the unsafe environment that led to Lamar's death.
The case underscores the importance of adequate security measures at commercial properties and the legal responsibilities of property owners to ensure the safety of their patrons. The settlement and the arrest of Miller provide some measure of justice for Lamar's family, although the loss of a young life remains a profound tragedy.
