Ex-Duquesne Players Sue School, Say It Could Have Prevented Shooting

Two former Duquesne basketball players who were shot on campus in 2006 filed a federal lawsuit against the school today.

The players, Shawn James and Kojo Mensah, say the school was negligent in failing to provide adequate security at the dance where they shot, and in allowing non-students to attend. They also claim that coach Ron Everhart forced them to play before they had completely recovered from their injuries.

Three other Duquesne players were also shot, and one of them, Stuard Baldonado, also sued the school. The shooters, William Holmes III and Derek Lee, both pleaded guilty to five counts of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Former Duquesne student Brittany Jones, who invited Holmes and Lee to the dance and checked with the doorman beforehand to make sure her guests wouldn't be frisked, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment.