Lawsuits Filed After Florida Journalist Dylan Lyons Killed in Shooting Spree

Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons was fatally shot while covering a homicide in Pine Hills, Florida. The shooter, 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses, had earlier killed 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin and later returned to the scene, fatally shooting Lyons and 9-year-old T’Yonna Major, while injuring photographer Jesse Walden and Major’s mother, Brandi Turner. Moses has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In response to the tragedy, Lyons’ family filed a negligence lawsuit against Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum News 13. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to provide adequate safety measures, such as security or protective equipment, despite sending Lyons to a crime scene where the suspect was still at large. Charter Communications has denied the allegations, describing the incident as an unforeseen tragedy.

Additionally, the families of Lyons and T’Yonna Major filed a lawsuit against the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, accusing the department of wrongful death and civil rights violations. The lawsuit claims that deputies did not adequately warn residents about the active shooter and failed to provide sufficient resources to the Pine Hills community. The Sheriff’s Office has stated that Moses is solely responsible for the deaths and that the claims against the department are unfounded.

These legal actions highlight concerns about the safety of journalists in the field and the responsibilities of media organizations and law enforcement in protecting individuals reporting in high-risk environments.