Man sues former Iowa City bar over shooting

An Iowa City man who was shot outside a former Iowa City bar is now suing the establishment for injuries caused from the incident.

Cortez Parker, filed a lawsuit Jan. 14 against Los Cocos Inc. and the property's owner, Elvis Jordan.

Police said Parker was at Lost Cocos, 1921 Keokuk St., on Aug. 9 around 1 a.m. and a gunshot heard by employees inside the bar forced everyone outside to the parking lot where Bernard Butler and Parker got into a fight and Butler shot Parker in the abdomen.

According to the lawsuit, Butler was illegally in the bar since Iowa City law prohibits 18-year-olds from being in a drinking establishment after 10 p.m. Butler was served by bar employees, and was intoxicated at the time of the incident with a BAC of .182 according to testing done by the Iowa City police, the lawsuit states.

Butler is awaiting trial for an attempted murder charge stemming from the incident.

Jordan said since he is simply the property owner, he feels he shouldn't face any legal consequences.

“I think it's ludicrous that I would be named in this lawsuit because I am a property owner,” Jordan said. “I think they should go after the person who committed the problem. I had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

Parkers's lawsuit claims Los Cocos is liable for his injuries since the bar violated the city ordinance and served alcohol to a minor. He alleges his injures have caused physical and mental pain and suffering, past and future loss of body function, past and future medical expenses, past lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. He is suing for an amount sufficient to fairly compensate him for his damages, according to the lawsuit.

After the shooting, owner Heather German voluntarily announced the closing of Los Cocos - which was the subject of over 200 police visits. German and husband Oscar German applied for a liquor license for a new downtown bar, but was denied by Iowa City Council last week following the recommendation of Police Chief Sam Hargadine.

Heather German said she had not seen the lawsuit as of Thursday afternoon so she could not comment.