PBSBarney would not be happy about this.
E! News confirms that Sheryl Leach, the creator of the big, purple dinosaur from the famous children's TV show Barney & Friends, was served with a lawsuit, along with her son, Patrick, from a neighbor who claims Leach's 27-year-old son allegedly shot him in the chest.
Eric Shanks is suing the duo for assault and battery and negligence.
Shanks' complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday, states that the incident occurred on the morning of Jan. 9, when Patrick fired the gun from his car, which was parked on his mother's Malibu property, and then fled the scene.
He says Leach "intentionally and recklessly" shot him causing severe damages.
"Plaintiff was injured in his health, strength and activity, sustaining injuries to the body, all of which caused and continue to cause Plaintiff great mental, physical, and nervous pain and suffering," the court documents state.
Shanks also notes that Sheryl is partially responsible in the negligence claim because she failed to use reasonable care to prevent her son from engaging in violent acts, and says in the complaint that she "knew or should have known" that her son "had dangerous propensities and habits for violence," yet "permitted Patrick Leach to own and maintain fire arms at her property."
Shanks is seeking damages and demanding a jury trial.
Patrick Leach was also charged criminally with one count of attempted murder and one count of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. District Attorney spokesperson Jane Robison tells E! News that Leach's criminal court date is April 25.