MINNEAPOLIS — A trial concerning a wrongful death lawsuit against the Fargo-based retailer Scheels is set to commence in late 2026. Hennepin County District Court Judge Karen A. Janisch has scheduled the proceedings to take place between October 26 and December 4, with the trial expected to span eight days. A pretrial conference is also planned for October 16, 2026, at the Government Center in Minneapolis.
The lawsuit emerged following the tragic death of 19-year-old Jordan Markie, who allegedly shot himself with a handgun provided by a Scheels employee inside the company’s Eden Prairie store in August 2022. Earlier this year, Judge Janisch rejected the retailer’s motion to dismiss the case, which argued that it could not be held responsible for Markie’s death.
The suit was initiated by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, Everytown Law, and two law firms acting on behalf of Markie’s mother, Sarah Van Bogart. The complaint claims that despite Markie being underage and exhibiting signs of distress, an employee failed to request identification or ensure that age verification took place before handing him a handgun from a secured case. The employee, identified as William Ballantyne, reportedly provided the weapon without a disabling mechanism to prevent its use.
Seeking more than $50,000 in damages, Van Bogart contends that the store’s actions were reckless and irresponsible. During a January hearing, a Scheels attorney described the lawsuit as an unfounded attempt to shift blame.
In denying the motion to dismiss, Judge Janisch determined that the plaintiffs had successfully argued that Scheels should have recognized Markie’s ineligibility to possess a handgun and the potential dangers associated with providing him a firearm. The judge noted that the plaintiffs reasonably established that Scheels either knew or should have been aware of the foreseeable risks involved.
In its response, filed on April 21, just two weeks following the decision to deny its dismissal motion, Scheels asserted it bore no responsibility for Markie’s death and maintained that Van Bogart should not receive any damages. The retailer reiterated its stance, claiming it had not violated any laws or standards of care related to the incident.
The court’s scheduling order stipulates that all fact discovery must be finalized by November 21 of this year, alongside deadlines for expert disclosures and any future motions. Additionally, an alternative dispute resolution process, specifically mediation, is mandated to be completed by mid-May 2026.
This high-profile case raises significant questions about accountability in firearm sales and customer interactions, illuminating ongoing discussions surrounding gun safety and regulations.
The article was automatically generated by OpenAI, and the facts, circumstances, and people mentioned may be inaccurate. Requests for removal, retraction, or correction can be directed to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.