Markel Wins Coverage Dispute In Concert Shooting Death

Markel Corp., holding company for insurance, reinsurance and investment companies, does not need to defend or indemnify a security company whose security officer killed a person at a small concert in Oklahoma., according to a federal appeals court.

– Markel

Norman, Okla.-based Event Security was hired to provide security at a 2013 concert at Oklahoma City’s Farmer Market, according to a report by BusinessInsurance.com.  The company hired off-duty police officer Paul Galyon for the event. He and another off-duty police officer working as security approached Brian Simms Jr., who was sleeping in his friend’s car, according to the case Event Security LLC and Charlesetta Redd v. Essex Insurance Co.

After initiating contact with Simms, Galyon reportedly opened fire, shooting Simms 12 times and killing him.  Both men later said Simms “had a gun on his lap or in his waistband,” according to Business Insurance.

Charlesetta Redd and Event Security filed the suit against Essex, a unit of Markel Corp., seeding indemnification in the case.