Paddock Shops Sued After Woman Brutally Beaten in Parking Lot Following Targeted Attack by Assailants

LOUISVILLE, KY – Thomas Law Offices has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Brenna Blankenship in Jefferson Circuit Court against the owners and operators of Paddock Shops and two individual assailants following a brutal attack in the shopping center’s parking lot. The lawsuit alleges negligence, premises liability, negligent security, negligent training and supervision, and gross negligence against the companies responsible for owning, operating, and providing security at Paddock Shops, and assault and battery claims against Seth Jones and Malakhi Weathers-Parker.

On the night of March 8, 2025, Blankenship and two friends were dining at Malone’s restaurant inside Paddock Shops when Jones and Weathers-Parker, along with a minor, returned to the shopping center and began searching through multiple restaurants, parking lots, and common areas for them. According to the lawsuit, after locating Blankenship and her friends, the assailants waited in the darkened parking lot and attacked them as they walked to their car, beating them with fists and a weapon before fleeing the scene.

“Brenna was tracked through this shopping center before she was ambushed in a dark parking lot,” said attorney David Barber of Thomas Law Offices, representing Blankenship. “The Paddock Shops had no surveillance cameras covering the parking lots, inadequate lighting, and a security response slower than nearby restaurant employees and bystanders. This attack was foreseeable and preventable.”

“Crime happens when there’s motive, ability, and opportunity,” Barber added. “There are always people with the motive and ability to commit violent crimes. Property owners can reduce those risks by limiting opportunity with simple, inexpensive measures like proper lighting, surveillance cameras, and a visible security presence.”

The lawsuit alleges that SPUS9 FB Paddock Prop, LLC, Fairbourne Properties, LLC, and Mydatt Services, Inc. d/b/a Block By Block had prior knowledge of violent crimes on and around the premises and had received repeated warnings from tenants and patrons requesting security improvements. Despite this knowledge, the lawsuit alleges the defendants failed to install parking lot surveillance cameras, maintain adequate lighting, ensure a visible security presence, or warn business invitees of the known risks.

The complaint further alleges that while the Paddock Shops offered a security escort program for shoppers walking to their vehicles, reflecting their awareness of the risks on the premises, no notices of the program were posted anywhere near the incident location on the night of the attack.

According to reports at the time, the assailants allegedly took offense after one of Blankenship’s friends said “Say cheese!” while they posed for a photo outside Malone’s as Blankenship’s group searched for a parking spot.

As a result of the beating, Blankenship suffered serious injuries to her head and face requiring surgery, ongoing medical treatment, scarring and disfigurement, and continues to experience significant physical and psychological trauma.

The plaintiff is represented by David Barber of Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky.