VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- There is a fixture missing in the Nixon household this Christmas.
"This is Kate's stocking. It was made when she was a baby; it's just ironic that it is an angel," Jason Nixon told WTKR. "The holidays don't matter much anymore because Kate isn't here."
Forty-two-year-old Kate Nixon, the love of Jason's life and mother of his three children, was one of 12 city employees killed on May 31, 2019.
"I want accountability. I don't want this to end until I get accountability on this whole case," Nixon explained.
Pressing on for accountability is why Nixon and three other families who lost loved ones have now filed wrongful death claims against the City of Virginia Beach.
Katherine and Jason Nixon
The families of Joshua Hardy, Missy Langer and Laquita Brown also filed claims.
"This is a placeholder for these families. It is a way to stop the clock from running out. It gives the governing body time to conduct an investigation if they want to do so; it gives them notice," said Kevin Martingayle, Nixon's attorney.
So, Nixon is basically reserving his right to sue the city Kate worked for. He had six months to file the claim after Kate was murdered.
"I want to see all records. I want to see everything; no one is showing us the full picture," said Nixon.
He says he is frustrated. He wants the city to release all emails, Human Resources records and the shooter's entire work file.
Both Martingayle and Nixon agree more needs to be done, so they are calling for an additional state investigation.
"The state has resources and powers that the independent firm does not have. We need to put more muscle and strength behind this effort," said Martingayle.
"This is not that complicated. You want to get answers, you have to look harder."
The families have until May 31, 2021, to file an actual lawsuit.
A spokesperson for the City of Virginia Beach provided the following response to the claims:
"We continue to grieve and pray for the victims and their families who are suffering as a result of the terrible and tragic events of May 31, 2019. We have no comment with respect to any litigation related to the event that may or may not be filed."
