June 23, 2021, 16-year-old Dai’Trell Teal was shot and killed at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, Texas. Teal, who was set to start his junior year at James Martin High School, was shot in the back by an unknown man while leaving the park with friends. The tragedy followed a prior shooting in the Six Flags parking lot in March 2021, which had already sparked concerns about safety on the premises.
After the March incident, a risk assessment advised increased security in the parking lot due to the area’s known safety issues, yet Six Flags had not implemented adequate measures before Teal’s death. The Witherspoon Law Group, representing Teal’s family, contended that ongoing crime both inside the park and in its parking lot contributed to the dangerous conditions that led to Teal’s death.
In a surprising turn, a jury ruled in favor of Hurricane Harbor on November 6, 2024. However, Teal’s family is appealing the verdict, arguing that the jury was not fully informed of the crime history at Hurricane Harbor before the June 2021 shooting. Their goal is to ensure that the next jury receives a full account of these incidents and a comprehensive jury charge.
Attorney Nuru Witherspoon stated, “A water park should be a place for fun, not a danger zone. This case isn’t just about Dai’Trell—it’s about preventing future tragedies by ensuring corporations uphold their duty to protect patrons.”
The family is seeking $50 million in damages. For more information, contact The Witherspoon Law Group at 1.866.491.2130 or info@twlglawyers.com.
