A family still mourning the loss of their father is now taking legal action. The relatives of 72-year-old Hureleyon McLean, who was shot and killed during a dispute at his Lauderdale Lakes apartment complex last Thanksgiving, have filed a lawsuit against the property’s management, saying it failed to keep him safe.
A Holiday Turned Tragic
What should have been a day filled with gratitude and family dinners turned into heartbreak for the McLeans. On November 23, 2024, Hureleyon McLean got into an argument with a neighbor about loud music. It happened inside Somerset at Lauderdale Lakes, a gated condo community where he lived.
According to investigators, the disagreement quickly escalated. Before anyone could intervene, McLean was shot and killed. He never made it out alive. The shooter claims it was self-defense, but the McLean family believes this tragedy could—and should—have been prevented.
“He Should Still Be Here”
McLean’s son, Sean, stood beside his family during a press conference this week, his voice heavy with grief. “My dad should still be here with us,” he said. “We lost him because no one stepped up to stop something that was clearly boiling over.”
The family described Hureleyon as a peaceful man—a devoted husband, a hardworking bus driver, and a grandfather who loved spending time with his grandchildren. They say he had previously voiced concerns about tensions in the building, but no one took him seriously.
Condo Association Blamed for Negligence
Their lawsuit, filed in Broward County, accuses Somerset at Lauderdale Lakes Condominium Association of negligence. It claims the management failed to respond to ongoing issues between residents, didn’t mediate disputes, and ignored red flags that could have prevented violence.
Attorney Adam Finkel, representing the family, said the complex had a responsibility to act. “This wasn’t some freak accident,” he said. “This was the result of a pattern of complaints, unresolved conflict, and total inaction.”
Shooter Still Under Investigation
The man who fired the fatal shot hasn’t been charged—yet. The case is still under review by the Broward State Attorney’s Office. Investigators say they’ve turned over their findings and a decision on possible criminal charges is pending.
For now, the shooter claims he was protecting himself. But the McLeans aren’t only looking for justice in criminal court—they want accountability from the condo’s management too.
No Answers From the Condo
So far, the Somerset condo association hasn’t made any public statement about the shooting or the lawsuit. Neighbors, meanwhile, have expressed concern about what happened and the silence that followed.
“I still think about that day,” one resident said. “We all heard it. We all knew something was wrong. But this place never did much to keep the peace between residents.”
Remembering Hureleyon
Friends and neighbors remember McLean as kind and dependable. At a candlelight vigil held days after the shooting, dozens gathered in front of the building. Some prayed. Others simply cried.
One neighbor who knew McLean for years said, “He’d say hi to everyone. He wasn’t loud. He wasn’t aggressive. He just wanted to live peacefully.”
Family Wants Change
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, but for the McLean family, this isn’t just about money. It’s about change. They want stronger conflict resolution policies, better safety measures, and real accountability from those in charge.
“We don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” Sean McLean said. “Nobody should bury their father over something so senseless.”
What’s Next?
As the lawsuit moves forward, all eyes are on the State Attorney’s Office to see if criminal charges will be filed against the shooter. Meanwhile, the condo association may face mounting pressure to speak up and possibly change how it handles safety concerns.
This case could have lasting implications—not just for one family, but for how housing communities handle violence and resident disputes going forward.
