Father of slain middle schooler Serenity Baker files lawsuit against Killeen ISD, maker of weapons detection system

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - The father of Serenity Baker, the Killeen teenager who was stabbed and killed at school, has filed a lawsuit against Killeen ISD and Evolv Technologies Inc., the company that produces and provides the district’s weapons detection system.

The lawsuit states that Serenity Baker’s death was a result of the Defendants’ negligence and wrongful conduct.

Serenity Baker was 14 years old when she was stabbed and killed by a fellow classmate in the hallway of Roy J. Smith Middle School on March 20.

The lawsuit states that Serenity would have been entitled to bring this action against them had she survived.

It argues the Texas Constitution guarantees students the right to life, liberty, equal protection and due course of law and that KISD violated Serenity’s rights.

PDF FULL LAWSUIT:

Those violations were listed as failing to protect against foreseeable violence, operating with non-functioning weapons detection systems, ignoring known risks of bullying and violence, and failing to render timely aid.

In a number of news conferences held in the wake of the stabbing, then superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey addressed the allegations of bullying.

“There may be information we don’t know about, but we want to be transparent in saying that to our current knowledge no bullying took place in this case,” Fey explained.

And on a number of occasions she also discussed how quickly Serenity was tended to. “911 was called immediately. Care was provided by adults on campus within seconds.”

KWTX has asked multiple times why the Evolv detection systems weren’t used that day and Dr. Fey noted that they weren’t working. Why they weren’t working remains unclear.

With these claims on paper, Serenity’s father is pleading that KISD’s governmental immunity is waived.

The lawsuit lists several other reasons why Serenity’s father believes the district failed his daughter.

Furthermore, claims against Evolv Technologies Inc. include the system being defectively designed, as it didn’t pick up on the knife used that day, and misrepresentation of its capabilities to KISD.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for past and future mental and emotional anguish and loss of companionship in the past and in the future.

Additionally, damages are being sought on behalf of Serenity which includes pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical and funeral expenses.

Serenity’s father requests in the lawsuit that he respectfully demands a trial by jury to settle the suit.

KWTX reached out to Evolv Technologies Inc. and their statement is as follows:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Serenity Baker and send condolences to her family, school, and community at-large. As the complaint states, the Evolv Express system at Roy J Smith Middle School was not in use on the day of the incident. We intend to vigorously defend our position. Evolv stands firmly behind our technology. Our focus remains on our mission: helping schools and communities create safer environments.”

KWTX also reached out to KISD and they said they cannot comment on ongoing litigations.

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