Family members of a young man killed in a stabbing at a downtown Raleigh convenience store were awarded $1.3 million in a settlement, according to their attorneys.
Mark Garrity, Jr. was fatally stabbed at Taz's Supermarket on South Wilmington Street in April 2023. Last December, the store's owner, Taiseer Zarka, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to at least five years in prison. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Garrity's mother, Amy Garrity, in April.
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Amy Garrity was represented by attorneys Jacob Morse and Spencer Fritts with Morse Fritts PLLC.
A news release from the firm stated: "This settlement reflects the closing of one chapter in a story where the senseless and reckless acts of a store owner led to Mark’s tragic and preventable death."
In an exclusive interview, both attorneys spoke with WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger.
"There's never an amount that we would've fully been satisfied with, and there's nothing the family wouldn't pay to go back in time and undo what happened on April 6, 2023," Morse said. "But this amount is substantial."
"The loss of a son, there is no money value that can return Mark," Fritts added. "The family is pleased with this settlement and believes that it sends a signal that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in our society."
The defendants named in the lawsuit were the store owner Taiseer Zarka, his company Jasmen Corporation, and the owner of the building, Phillip Horwitz. The attorneys explained that the settlement would be paid by their insurance companies.
Zarka remains in prison and the Jasmen Corporation has since been dissolved, Secretary of State filings show. WRAL Investigates attempted to contact Horwitz by phone for comment on the settlement and has not yet heard back.
WRAL News previously reported that Zarka testified in court, during his criminal trial, that he stabbed Garrity because he believed he was trying to steal Gatorade.
In a statement from Amy Garrity, provided by the law firm, she wrote:
"This journey has been one of insurmountable anguish and grief but also one of hope. While nothing can replace Mark and the love we shared as a family, this resolution honors his memory, brings a sense of justice to his loved ones, and works to prevent senseless tragedies like this from happening in the future.”
"We expect this is going to get the attention of other business owners in similar situations to employ proper security measures, to protect patrons, and to treat people with dignity and respect when they come in your store," Morse said.
As far as what the Garrity family will do with the money, Morse said that some of it will go toward charities that Mark Garrity was involved with during his life, and it will also help care for his brother.
"Mark has a younger brother who has special needs and is in the full-time care of the Garrity family," Morse said. "It was always Mark's desire to help care for his brother after his parents passed later down the road. And this money is going to help care for his brother who has special needs."
