Markeith Williams, a 19-year-old Atlanta high school student was shot and killed Monday evening in the parking lot of an Etheridge Drive apartment complex. As police attempt to bring his killer to justice, investigators are questioning whether a fatal security lapse at the apartment may have contributed to the tragic loss of this young man.
According to the address provided by initial police reports, the shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Rolling Bends Apartment community, a complex which has seen several violent crimes in the past. This latest shooting has once again left a family in mourning and residents shaken.
According to family, 19-year-old Markeith Williams was standing outside the Rolling Bends Apartments just before 10:00pm Monday night when a dispute broke out over someone leaning on a car in the complex parking lot. The senseless argument escalated into gunfire, which struck the Atlanta high school student. Duwon Robinson witnessed his cousin's horrific shooting, "He was the only one left, laying flat on the ground and that's when we knew he was shot." Mr. Williams perished from his injuries.
The Etheridge Drive apartment has seen other violent crimes and shootings in recent years, the most recent occurred only weeks ago. This latest shooting and, particularly the death of such a young high school student, has once again terrified residents and left them fearful for the safety of their families. As homicide detectives search for Mr. Williams' killer, Premises Liability Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are questioning whether a second party may also be at fault in the needless death of this young man: Rolling Bends Apartments.
- According to police reports, several shootings and acts of violence have erupted in and around Rolling Bends Apartments. What security measures, such as controlled gate access, ID cards, surveillance cameras, and security patrols, did the property owner and management company implement to improve safety for residents and guests following the previous incidents of neighborhood violence?
- Was the gunman a resident of the complex and, if not, how did he gain entry to the property? Was the security fence or access gate broken, open, or left unattended at the time of the shooting?
- Was a security officer patrolling the property at the time of the shooting and, if so, what attempts were made to contact police or dissuade the argument before it escalated to violence?
- Were the property parking lot and grounds properly lit to increase resident and guest safety at the time of the shooting? Were surveillance cameras running to capture and deter assailants?
As our legal investigators uncover further details into the shooting of Mr. Williams and the security measures in place at the time of his death, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the Rolling Bends apartment complex failed to undertake proper security measures to protect those legally on its premises. Under Georgia law, an owner and management company of an apartment complex has a duty to protect such individuals from foreseeable crimes and to keep its premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this duty, they may be held liable under Georgia law for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur.
Should the Rolling Bends apartment complex be found at fault in this incident, the family of Markeith Williams may elect to hold the owner and management company civilly liable for his wrongful death. Total financial recovery for such a claim could be in the millions of dollars and would certainly send a gravely needed message to all Georgia property managers on the cruciality of implementing proper security measures to protect their residents and guests. As insurance companies and unscrupulous property owners are often more concerned with limiting their financial exposure than providing victims what they rightfully deserve, it is important that the Williams family retain an experienced premises liability firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage, is preserved and their best interests are protected. Photographs of the scene and any broken security gates, fences, or lighting will also need to be taken and documented without delay, before repairs may be made. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting victims and families of heinous apartment complex crimes, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.
If you are seeking further information on this incident, please contact us at 404.842.1600 or toll free at 888.842.1616.