Sheryl Leach, Barney Creator, Sued By Man Allegedly Shot By Her Son

Barney Creator Sued
SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 27: Barney The Dinosaur entertains children at the 2007 Dream Halloween 'Under The Big Top' hosted by Jaime Lee Curtis to benefit the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation October 27, 2007 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/WireImage)
SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 27: Barney The Dinosaur entertains children at the 2007 Dream Halloween 'Under The Big Top' hosted by Jaime Lee Curtis to benefit the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation October 27, 2007 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/WireImage)

The creator of the popular children's series "Barney & Friends" has been sued for negligence by the man allegedly shot by her son.

In February, Patrick Leach, the son of "Barney" creator Sheryl Leach, was charged with the attempted murder of a 49-year-old man. The charge stemmed from a January shooting in Malibu, Calif.

On Jan. 9, the 27-year-old allegedly shot his neighbor, Eric Shanks, in a driveway the two share at their luxury residential complex in Malibu. The shooting reportedly occurred during an argument over a “trespassing issue."

"The victim was shot by a .45 handgun and was shot in the chest and the bullet went through his chest and out his shoulder," Malibu Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore told Malibu's KABC station.

TMZ reported Thursday that Shanks has sued the "Barney" creator for negligence, claiming that she never should have allowed her son to own a gun due to his violent tendencies. Shanks is also suing Patrick for assault and battery.

Patrick and his mother share the luxury residence on West Winding Way, a private, gated community, according to the Malibu Times. Sheryl was one of the first to move into the development some 40 years ago. She is also believed to own a home in Greenwich, Conn.

Sheryl has been a creator and producer on "Barney" since the character made his debut in the 1988 series, "Barney & The Backyard Gang." She dreamed up the big, purple dinosaur after being inspired by her son, according to the business blog Start Up Nation. In 2001, the Barney franchise was sold for a whopping $350 million.

Patrick, who eventually pleaded not guilty, was able to post the $1 million bail on the same day of his arrest.

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