Two Bystanders Sue Kodak Black Over 2022 Justin Bieber Party Shooting, Seeking Millions in Damages
Back in February 2022, a wild night outside The Nice Guy restaurant in West Hollywood took a dangerous turn. What started as an exclusive afterparty hosted by Justin Bieber during Super Bowl weekend quickly spiraled into chaos when gunfire erupted outside, leaving several people injured, including rapper Kodak Black. Now, nearly three years later, two bystanders wounded in that shooting are gunning for millions in damages — and they’re pointing their fingers squarely at Kodak Black as the person who “initiated” the altercation that sparked the violence.
What Went Down That Night?
The party was one of the most star-studded gatherings of the year. Justin Bieber was hosting an invite-only event following his Super Bowl Weekend performance at the Pacific Design Center, and the guest list read like a who’s who of celebrity royalty. Rappers Lil Baby, Drake, and Gunna were there, along with Bieber’s wife Hailey, Khloe Kardashian, and even actor Tobey Maguire. But outside the glitz and glamour, the scene turned dark.
On the evening of February 12, 2022, gunshots rang out near The Nice Guy, a popular West Hollywood hotspot. Kodak Black, whose real name is Dieuson Octave, was among those hit, sustaining a bullet wound to his upper leg. Two bystanders—Adam Rahman and Mark Schaefer—were also struck by the gunfire. Schaefer, who had been casually collecting autographs nearby, was shot above his right ankle, requiring emergency surgery and ongoing physical therapy. Rahman was hit in the left shoulder.
Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests have been made to date.
The Lawsuit: Who’s Suing Whom?
Fast forward to 2025, and the aftermath of that shooting is playing out in court. Rahman and Schaefer filed a lawsuit naming Kodak Black as a defendant, accusing him of sparking the brawl that ended in gunfire. The two bystanders are seeking millions in default damages, arguing that Kodak Black’s actions were the catalyst for the shooting. In their sworn statements, both men claim they saw Octave "initiate the altercation" with patrons outside the venue.
Initially, the lawsuit also targeted Justin Bieber and the owners of The Nice Guy restaurant. However, the judge dismissed the venue’s corporate owners, ruling that the shooting was not reasonably “foreseeable” to the restaurant. Bieber was voluntarily dropped as a defendant by the plaintiffs a few months later, leaving Kodak Black as the sole person being sued.
Legal Drama in the Courtroom
At a recent hearing in Los Angeles, Judge Tiana J. Murillo decided to vacate the trial date originally set for August 18. The plaintiffs’ attorney told the court that Kodak Black hadn’t responded to the lawsuit, making him the sole remaining defendant who should be found "in default." In legal terms, a default means the defendant has failed to respond, and the court can hold them liable by default.
However, this wasn’t the first time the plaintiffs requested a default judgment against Black. Back in November 2024, they sought a staggering $62 million in damages, but the court denied that request due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of adequate proof for the damages claimed. Another attempt in July 2025 for $10.6 million was also denied, mainly because the plaintiffs failed to back up their claims of pain and suffering with medical bills and other solid documentation.
Judge Murillo gave the plaintiffs until August 25 to submit an updated request that meets the court’s standards. The legal back-and-forth is ongoing.
Kodak Black’s Side of the Story
Kodak Black’s legal team has pushed back hard against the lawsuit and the attempts to hold their client responsible. Bradford Cohen, the rapper’s longtime lawyer, told Rolling Stone that Kodak Black was never properly served with the lawsuit in California and had no official notice. According to Cohen, the plaintiffs are trying to sue the very person who was most injured in the shooting—Kodak Black himself.
There’s also dispute over the service of the lawsuit. Court filings say a private investigator gained access to a gated community and served the lawsuit to Octave’s mother. Then, they claim to have served the rapper by mail. Cohen disputes this, saying that Kodak Black doesn’t live with his mother and that the mailing address used by the plaintiffs isn’t even his. "He does not own that house," Cohen said.
The Big Question: Who Started It?
Central to the case is whether Kodak Black actually "initiated" the fight that triggered the shooting. Both Rahman and Schaefer swear under oath that they saw Octave start the altercation. Rahman’s statement, filed in April, explicitly says he "witnessed Kodak Black initiate the altercation with patrons outside the subject location," describing it as the catalyst for the gun violence that followed.
If the court sides with the plaintiffs, Kodak Black could face serious financial consequences. But proving liability in cases involving chaotic events like shootings is notoriously difficult, especially when eyewitness accounts and other evidence can be murky.
Why No Arrests?
Despite the public nature of the shooting and the involvement of high-profile figures, police have not made any arrests related to the incident. This has added another layer of complexity and frustration for the victims seeking justice. Without official criminal charges, the civil lawsuit remains the main path for those injured to seek compensation.
What This Means Moving Forward
As the legal drama unfolds, the spotlight remains on Kodak Black and the tragic shooting outside one of Los Angeles’s hottest party spots. The judge’s decision to delay the trial and request more detailed documentation means the battle is far from over.
For Adam Rahman and Mark Schaefer, the goal is clear: they want the court to hold Kodak Black accountable for the injuries they sustained and award them millions in damages. For Kodak Black, it’s a fight to clear his name and avoid what could be a costly default judgment.
The case also highlights how high-profile incidents involving celebrities can quickly become complex legal battles, mixing allegations, conflicting accounts, and procedural challenges.
Exciting elements to keep an eye on:
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The star-studded party scene and the surprise shooting that shocked attendees
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The controversy over who really started the altercation
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The legal back-and-forth with the court rejecting and reconsidering massive default judgments
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Kodak Black’s claim he wasn’t properly served or notified of the lawsuit
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No arrests despite serious injuries—raising questions about police investigations
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The ongoing impact on the victims, including surgery and physical therapy for gunshot wounds
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