13-year-old Bawi Cung Lian was injured in a stabbing at the Willow Branch Apartments Friday afternoon, December 6, 2013.
Freedom Middle School student, Bawi Cung Lian, was home from school Friday afternoon when he was attacked and stabbed by 5-10 teenagers at the Willow Branch apartments on Jolly Avenue just before noon. Mr. Lian did not know his attackers and police are now conducting a search for the the assailants. He is currently undergoing surgery after suffering stab wounds and injuries to his hands.
As Clarkston Police continue to search for the young boy's attackers, apartment negligence attorneys at The Murray Law Firm are questioning how such a violent act could occur on the Willow Branch complex and whether a potentially fatal security lapse may have contributed to this horrific attack:
- Were the teenage assailants residents of Willow Branch apartments and, if not, how did they gain access to the property? Was an access gate, security fence or ID card system in place to prevent non-residents from entering?
- Did the apartment complex have a security officer on patrol at the time of the attack? How did apartment security and management fail to notice the mob of violent teenagers on their property?
- Have their been previous incidents of violence on or near Willow Branch property and, if so, what safety measures (such as access gates, ID cards, emergency call boxes, surveillance cameras, and added security patrols) were implemented to protect residents?
Students today face an ongoing epidemic of bullying in our schools and online. They shouldn't have to fear for safety in their own homes. As the details of this attack continue to emerge, attorneys at the Murray Law Firm believe it is possible the owner and management of Willow Branch Apartments failed in their duty to protect Bawi Cung Lian.
Under Georgia law, property owners are required to protect all those legally on their premises from foreseeable risks. Should the apartment owner and management have neglected to take proper safety precautions for residents after prior knowledge of local violence, Bawi Cung Lian and his parents may elect to hold them civilly liable for his injuries. Such a claim may be in the millions of dollars and would, most importantly, demand all local apartment owners take steps to make their properties safe for our children. The Lian family should seek an experienced premises liability attorney as soon as possible to ensure all evidence is preserved and their best interests are protected.
The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting young victims of apartment violence and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.
Anyone seeking further information into our investigation of a potential security lapse at Willow Branch apartments is encouraged to contact us at 404.842.1600.
