Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine Sues LA Fitness for $1 Million Over Alleged Negligence in Violent Gym Attack

Lake Worth, FL – Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, whose legal name is Daniel Hernandez, is suing LA Fitness for $1 million, claiming the fitness center’s lack of appropriate security led to a brutal assault on him at its Lake Worth location this year. Filed on Wednesday, the legal action targets Fitness International LLC, which operates the LA Fitness brand, alleging negligence in maintaining a secure environment.

The violent incident that spurred the lawsuit took place on March 21, 2023, when Hernandez was attacked by three individuals in the locker room of the gym. The assault, caught on viral cellphone videos, depicted the rapper being knocked to the ground, then repeatedly kicked and punched by his assailants. Subsequent footage captured Hernandez staggering back into the gym area, his face bloodied and barefoot, illustrating the severity of the attack.

In the lawsuit, Hernandez’s attorneys argue that LA Fitness was well aware—or should have been—of the heightened crime rates surrounding their Lake Worth gym and therefore had a responsibility to bolster security measures for the safety of their patrons. The documents filed further point out that this region had seen an uptick in violent crimes, purportedly necessitating increased precautions.

Following the incident, Hernandez required hospitalization for his injuries, which included not only physical wounds but also psychological trauma, as noted in the lawsuit. The injuries are described as causing “bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, humiliation, and a reduction in both income and earning capacity.” His legal representatives emphasize that these damages could have lasting repercussions on Hernandez’s financial and physical well-being.

Shortly after the assault, law enforcement officials arrested three men linked to the attack, one of whom was identified as a high-ranking member of the Latin Kings gang. This detail perhaps underscores the severity and organized nature of the attack.

Hernandez’s lawsuit lays blame squarely at the feet of LA Fitness, asserting that their failure to assess and mitigate security risks directly led to the egregious assault. Through this legal action, the rapper seeks compensation not only for the immediate physical and emotional damages he endured but also for the enduring impact of the incident.

This case highlights a potentially worrying trend of security oversight at fitness facilities, raising questions about the measures that should reasonably be expected by patrons, especially in areas with known security risks. The outcome of this lawsuit might prompt other businesses to reevaluate their own security protocols to prevent similar incidents.

The legal proceedings and their outcomes are still pending, but the spotlight is now firmly on the accountability of business operators to ensure the safety and well-being of their clients, especially when they are made aware of potential threats.