Update: 23-year-old Caheran Carter has been arrested in connection with the fatal July 14, 2013 apartment shooting on Windsor Street in Atlanta. As police focus on the gunman responsible for killing one person and injuring two others, investigators are questioning whether a fatal security lapse at the apartment complex may have contributed to this violent attack. If so, the families and victims involved may hold the Windsor Street apartment complex liable for failing to properly protect residents.
The July 14th triple shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Windsor Street apartment complex, just off Rosa Burney Park in Atlanta. One victim was fatally shot in the abdomen while two others suffered serious injuries from multiple gunshot wounds. As police focus on the gunman, some are questioning whether a serious apartment security oversight is also at fault in this horrific attack.
The shooting is the latest of several recent violent attacks to plague this community and highlights the critical need for local apartment owners and management companies to step up and provide proper security for the families and residents who place their trust in them.
Premises Liability Attorneys at The Murray Law Firm work tirelessly to protect families of apartment complex crimes, such as this, and are questioning whether a fatal apartment security lapse may have contributed to this tragedy:
- Given the prior history of neighborhood violence, what security measures (such as surveillance cameras, increased security or police patrols, ID cards, and security gates) were implemented by the apartment owner and management company following the previous shooting to increase security for residents and guests?
- Is Mr. Carter, the alleged gunman, a resident of the Windsor Street apartment complex where the shooting occurred and, if not, how did he gain access to the property?
- There is a security fence surrounding the Windsor Street apartments. However, the lack of a parking lot access gate leaves entry to the property open. What measures, such as a security patrol, are in place to restrict entry to the complex parking lot and grounds?
- Was the parking lot properly lit for resident and guest safety at the time of the shooting? Were surveillance cameras operating in the parking lot at the time of the shooting to record and deter acts of violence?
As the details of this shooting continue to develop, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the Windsor Street apartment complex off Rosa Burney Park 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 Windsor Street apartment complex be found at fault in this incident, the family of the victim killed in this shooting may elect to hold the owner or management company civilly liable for his wrongful death. Further, the other victims injured in this shooting may also elect to hold the owner and management companies liable for their significant injuries. Total financial recovery for such a substantial claim could be in the millions of dollars and would, most importantly, demand Atlanta apartment owners and managers finally implement proper security measures to protect the families and residents who rely on them.
As insurance companies and unscrupulous parties are often more concerned with limiting their own financial exposure than providing victims what they rightfully deserve, it is crucial that an experienced premises liability firm be retained as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage, is preserved and the families' best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting victims and families of 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.