Wounded child's family sues Toronto housing agency
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 4, 2007 | 12:08 PM ET
CBC News
A family that alleges cuts to security at the public housing complex where
it lives contributed to a driveby shooting that severely injured a child is
suing the Toronto Community Housing Corporation.

Shaquan Cadougan, a member of the Driftwood Avenue family, was four years
old when four bullets hit him outside his home in August 2005.

Four other people were also injured in the gunfire.

Shaquan was hit in the legs and one bullet lodged in his hip.

He is expected to have long-term mobility problems and suffers emotionally
as result of the shooting, lawyer Marshall Swadron told CBC's Metro Morning
on Wednesday.

Swadron alleges money-saving cuts to security at the housing complex were
partly to blame for the shooting.

"A landlord in the position of TCHC is responsible for security on its
premises.

People can't arrange their own private security."

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Swadron says the suit claims damages in excess of $4 million. The amount
should allow Shaquan and his family to lead a normal life, and signals the
seriousness of the case in legal circles, he says.

It's also roughly the same amount that the housing corporation's security
cuts were expected to save, alleges Swadron.

The housing corporation is refusing comment on the lawsuit as it is before
the courts.