Aerobics Instructor Mary Beth Primis Sues Over Gym Shooting

Oct. 5, 2009 — -- The aerobics instructor who was 10 weeks pregnant when she survived the August shooting at a Pennsylvania health club is suing the estate of the alleged shooter, George Sodini, for the "mental anguish" and "multiple gunshot wounds" she said she incurred during the massacre.

Mary Beth Primis, 26, filed a civil complaint this morning in Allegheny County, Pa., against Sodini's estate. Primis' husband, Alex Primis, is also listed as a plaintiff in the complaint.

Sodini, 48, allegedly stormed into a crowded aerobics class led by Primis at the L.A. Fitness health club in Bridgeville, Pa., just after 8 p.m. Aug. 4. After turning off the lights, police said, Sodini sprayed the classroom with as many as 52 bullets, leaving three people dead and eight others injured. He then shot himself to death.

"The Primis' are trying to move forward with their lives as best they can, and Mary Beth feels very fortunate and blessed she survived this, but more so that her unborn child is doing OK," said George Kontos, Primis' attorney.

Due in March with her first child, Primis is suing on seven counts, including battery, because of what she says was "stress and harm while pregnant" that put her at risk for "possible miscarriage."

Primis had multiple gunshot wounds, some of which exited her body, that have since left scarring, Kontos said.

Also suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress, Primis said in the complaint that she has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and "associated emotional mental ailments" as a result of Sodini's attack.

While Primis is so far feeling healthy physically, Kontos said, she has suffered greatly mentally.

"Primis definitely has some residual problems," Kontos said.

Primis, who was a fitness instructor at several different health clubs in the area, has so far been unable to "engage in that type of employment," Kontos said.

"There is a fear of being in certain situations," Kontos said of Primis. "This was her livelihood and her job and something she liked very much."