Parent files civil suit against school officials in shooting case

Towanda Moore, mother of slain middle school student Todd Brown, has filed a lawsuit against Madison City Schools officials.

Former Discovery Middle School student Hammad Memon is accused of gunning down Brown at school Feb. 5, 2010.

In the lawsuit, Moore named the City of Madison Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler, current Discovery Middle School Principal Dr. Robbie Smith and members of Memon’s family.

The lawsuit states that Memon was “a troubled teenage boy who suffered from personally and emotional disorders” and that “these disorders manifested themselves in Hammad Memon by having a ‘difficult temperament,’ lack of self control, problems with impulsivity, temper tantrums and ‘emotional blow-ups.’”

The suit says that Fowler was “directly aware” of Memon’s behavior and he was “responsible” for authorizing Memon’s transfer to Discovery Middle School.

The document also says that Smith, who wasn’t the schools principal at the time, was said to have been “directly aware” of Memon’s troubles prior to the shooting.

“We have become aware through media reports that a lawsuit has been filed against the City of Madison Board of Education, the Discovery Middle School principal and me arising out of the tragic shooting which occurred at Discovery Middle School,” Fowler said. “The complaint has not yet been served on the named defendants, however. When served, the case will be referred to our legal counsel who we expect to present a vigorous defense on our behalf. In accordance with our long-standing policy against publicly discussing pending litigation we will have no further comment at this time.”

Moore’s lawyers in Birmingham could not be reached for comment.