Family of Fallen Florida Officer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Circle K

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Earlier Report: Florida Seeks Capital Punishment for Alleged Police Officer’s Murder

EDGEWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The family of a slain off-duty police officer, who was fatally shot in September at a Circle K gas station, has initiated legal action against the company, arguing that the incident could have been averted.

Surveillance footage captured the moment when Edgewater police officer David Jewell, aged 45, walked into the Ormond-by-the-Sea gas station, only to be shot multiple times by employee Eduardo Felipe Labrada Machado, 24, resulting in Jewell’s death.

Reports from WESH indicate that Jewell’s family, represented by the law firm Politis and Matovina, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Circle K Stores Inc. The suit claims that negligence and preventable errors contributed to the officer’s untimely demise.

The complaint alleged that Circle K was negligent in hiring and retaining Machado.

Politis and Matovina said that Circle K was warned at least a year and a half before Jewell’s death that Machado was dangerous.

David Jewell (Credit: Volusia Sheriff’s Office)

Police told reporters that Labrada Machado was stopped in 2023 after an FWC incident report, which recounts that he confessed to shooting two 30-round magazines from an AK-47 into Tomoka State Park.

WESH reports that one of the responding officers found Machado’s demeanor so peculiar that he took the police report to Circle K to warn them of their employee, an action which is not standard protocol and highly unusual.

According to Jewell’s family attorneys, Circle K management failed to take action and did not report the concerns to upper management.

Eduardo Felipe Labrada Machado Credit: Volusia Sheriff’s Office

The lawsuit states that Circle K failed to use reasonable care in selecting and retaining their employees.

The family is seeking $20 million in compensation for damages, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other losses permitted under Florida law.