Family awarded over $100 million from ghost gun company for death of teen in historic verdict

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) - A jury has awarded a mother more than $104 million in a lawsuit against an online ghost-gun seller and its parent company.

Laura Herp, mother of Henry Willis, was awarded $4.2 million in economic damages and $100 million in punitive damages in a Kentucky court. The suit was filed against Husky Armory LLC and parent company Up North Media LLC.

Herp, as administrator of Henry’s estate, sued the defendants for negligence and negligent entrustment after Husky Armory sold a gun-building kit to Henry on July 6, 2023, when he was only 18 years old, based on allegations of violation of numerous federal firearms laws. Just six days after receiving the kit by mail, Henry died by suicide on July 30, using a handgun built from the kit.

The verdict is believed to be the largest in U.S. history against a seller of firearms. Attorneys say the company never ran background checks, which would’ve revealed the Seneca High School graduate not only wasn’t old enough to buy weapons, but wouldn’t have passed a background check after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Herp said that she traced her son’s website search history and credit card statements after he died, which led her to the online weapon purchase.

“I just wish that I could’ve had more time with Henry, to help him heal. Husky Armory robbed our family of the time that we needed to help him through his darkest moments,” Laura Herp said regarding her son.

She said that Willis was a good student, had dreams of becoming an attorney, and loved music. Now, she just wishes the company that sold him the gun kit would’ve followed proper protocols.

“I wish that I had the right adjective, but it feels good to speak for him, and to speak for others who’ve lost loved ones,” Herp added.

Attorneys said representatives from Husky Armory never appeared in court.