Family sues Houston's Galleria mall, security companies over 2025 fatal shooting, lawsuit says
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The family of a man shot and killed in a parking garage at Houston's Galleria mall is suing the shopping center, its parent company, and the security companies responsible for the property, alleging they didn't enforce safety and security policies.
Anthony Sanders was killed on June 3, 2025, after leaving the Galleria with his fiancée and young child, according to court documents. Sanders' family alleges Justin Guzman and Marko Cinan shot him after an altercation that began when the men harassed Sanders' fiancée.
Attorney Muhammad Aziz, who represents Sanders' family, said the case centers on allegations that the suspects had previously been banned from the mall but were nevertheless able to return to the property.
"These individuals were involved in what is these days called rage-baiting activities," Aziz said. "What that means is, you show up at the mall, and you try to pick fights with people. You're a troublemaker."
Videos posted to social media appear to show the men being removed from the Galleria by security on several occasions, including one day before the fatal shooting, according to Sanders' family and their attorney. The lawsuit alleges that the Galleria and its security providers were negligent for failing to enforce their own safety policies and to prevent the suspects from reentering the mall.
"This shooting was completely preventable if they had just followed their own procedure of enforcing the ban," Aziz said.
The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages. It argues that the mall and the security companies should have had a system in place to identify people who had been barred from the property and to prevent them from returning.
"There has to be some type of system to prevent them coming back onto the property," Aziz said.
Sanders' father said the loss has been especially difficult for the family. He said Sanders and his fiancée had become engaged on Easter and were planning their wedding before the shooting.
"This loss has been devastating to our family, and we believe that accountability is essential to ensure justice," Sanders' father Frank said.
ABC13 contacted the public relations company representing the Galleria and its parent company to ask whether the suspects had been banned from the mall before the shooting. As of publication, we have not received a response.
