SHELTON, Conn. — Two teens who were injured in a fight that left another teen dead in 2022, have filed suit against the homeowners who hosted the first of two parties that fatal night, saying they failed to prohibit drinking by minors that night and then let a group of teens leave after assaulting one of the plaintiffs.
Police said that on May 14, 2022, a party was held at the home of Paul and Susanna Leifer in Shelton where teens were drinking. The suit brought by Ryan Heinz states that he was assaulted by other guests, including being kicked, punched, and hit with a motorcycle helmet. In court paperwork, Heinz alleges that Susanna Leifer saw the assault and the couple did nothing.
The suit filed on behalf of Connery says, "As a proximate result of the improper consumption of alcohol made available to the attendees . . . the level of aggression and animosity between attendees at the gathering escalated to the point that a fight broke out."
The suits allege that some of the teens present left and went to Laurel Glen Drive in Shelton and continued to fight. That was when James McGrath was fatally stabbed. Ryan Heinz and Tom Connery, the plaintiffs in the separate lawsuits, were also stabbed. Raúl Valle has been charged with murder and three counts of first-degree assault. McGrath's family is also suing the Leifers.
Both lawsuits said the Leifers provided alcohol to the teens and should have called the police.
Police have charged the Leifers with serving alcohol to the teens that night.
Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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