Family Files Lawsuit Against Apartment Shooting Victim's Employer

The family of Laura Schoellmann, a West Houston apartment manager who was killed by a resident, has filed a lawsuit against The Finger Companies for wrongful-death. Laura was killed by David Thurm, a photographer with a history of mental illness. The apartment shooting ended with David killing himself.

The family’s attorneys say Laura was very concerned about her own safety, and she voiced this concern by writing to her employer, “We fear our lives. This guy is crazy.” Court documents show that after Laura was threatened by Thurm, she warned her employers, and no extra security was provided to her.

Schoellmann worked for two years as the manager of The Post Oak Woodway apartments in Houston, TX before the shooting happened.

According to the lawsuit, Laura’s family claims her employer failed to adequately address safety issues for Laura and her staff by not providing security.

The property where the shooting occurred is owned by Post Oak Woodway Ltd. and The Finger Companies. Schoellmann was employed by FEMCO, the community’s property management company of the complex. All three companies have not commented about the charges and the damages requested by the lawsuit are unspecified.

This is a follow up to the actual shooting article which can be read by clicking Houston Apartment Shooting.