Garrity Family Awarded $1.3M After Taz’s Supermarket Owner Convicted of Manslaughter

A Wake County civil court approved a $1.3 million settlement for the family of Mark Garrity Jr., resolving a wrongful-death lawsuit tied to a fatal stabbing at Taz’s Supermarket on South Wilmington Street. The agreement, announced Jan. 15, 2026, follows a criminal conviction last December in which store owner Taiseer Zarka was found guilty of manslaughter and later sentenced to at least five years in prison.

The family’s lawsuit argued that the store owner failed to take actions that might have prevented the April 2023 killing. Attorneys for the Garrity family said the settlement acknowledges the "senseless and reckless acts of a store owner" and provides some measure of closure. Civil and criminal proceedings ran on parallel tracks: the criminal case proved unlawful conduct beyond a reasonable doubt, and the civil case sought to hold the owner financially accountable for wrongful death.

The killing occurred in downtown Raleigh, an area with dense foot traffic and a concentration of small grocers and convenience stores that serve both residents and workers. For local shoppers and business owners, the case underscores how violent incidents can ripple beyond immediate tragedy to affect insurance costs, storefront security choices, and overall perceptions of safety in the downtown business district.

Economically, a high-dollar settlement in a small retail setting has several market implications. Insurers may reassess risk models for independently owned stores, potentially raising premiums or tightening coverage terms for businesses deemed to have inadequate security measures. Higher operating costs could be passed on to consumers or squeeze thin margins for mom-and-pop grocers that dominate neighborhood retail. In addition, landlords and property managers in downtown Raleigh may face greater pressure to demand tenant compliance with safety protocols to limit liability exposure.

Policy responses at the local level could follow. City regulators and the Wake County public safety apparatus may revisit guidelines for business safety planning, such as recommended staffing levels, camera coverage, or lighting standards on high-foot-traffic streets like South Wilmington Street. The case may also factor into discussions about community investments in crime prevention, mental health services, and nighttime safety measures that affect both residents and businesses.

For the Garrity family, the settlement closes the civil chapter of a case rooted in a violent death. For Wake County residents and downtown business owners, the outcome signals a potential shift in how liability and safety are financially reconciled after violent incidents. Expect conversations among insurers, city officials, and business associations about practical steps to reduce risk and limit the economic fallout of future tragedies.