Local News
Edgewood Retail District Parking Deck (AJC/Kent D. Johnson)
An Atlanta woman was beaten and carjacked in the parking deck of the Edgewood Retail District shopping center Saturday, July 5, 2014. The community is seeking answers and justice following the second violent robbery to strike the shopping center in nine days.
According to the AJC, a woman parked her car in the lower parking deck of the Edgewood Retail District Target, on Caroline Street at Moreland Avenue, around noon Saturday. As she exited her vehicle, police report a man “punched her in the head and she fell on the ground.” Her assailant then took her purse and car keys, warning, “Stay on the ground or I will…kill you.” He got in the woman’s car, nearly reversing over her as he fled the scene. Authorities say the victim “had to roll out of the way in order not to get run over as he drove off with the vehicle.”
The victim was treated for head injuries at Piedmont Hospital. Her condition is unknown.
The terrifying attack comes only weeks after a violent evening mugging outside the Barnes and Noble in the same shopping center. On June 26, 2014, a bicyclist was punched in the face and his bag and wallet were stolen. Surveillance footage shows four men were involved in that assault.
No arrests have been made in either attack.
Our Legal Take
The community initially protested the Edgewood Retail District opening, concerned of its effect on the community. Now, following the two violent assaults, many are voicing concerns over adequate security measures in the shopping center. The Murray Law Firm is following the incidents closely and questions whether a potentially fatal security lapse may have contributed to these violent attacks:
Were there previous incidents of violence on or near property prior to the June attack? If so, how was security improved to protect patrons and deter violence? What security measures, such as bright lighting and a security patrol, were available to the victim during the June 26th attack outside the Barnes and Noble?
Following the June 26th assault, what efforts were made to improve shopping center security, particularly in the parking areas? Were additional parking lot lighting, surveillance cameras and emergency call boxes installed? Were police or security patrols implemented and, if so, how did these measures fail during the July 5th assault?
These attacks must not be allowed to continue or scalate further. The violence has already spread from a late evening assault to a bold attack and theft during daylight hours when families with children were present in the plaza.
As the details of this investigation emerge, the victims of these violent assaults may elect to hold the owner and management of the shopping center and parking garage civilly liable for their injuries. Such substantial claims would demand Edgewood Retail District finally implements proper security measures to protect patrons. Through additional lighting, surveillance cameras and prevalent security patrols, perhaps further violence and tragedy may be avoided.
The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in protecting victims of property negligence and we offer our legal expertise, if needed. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 404.842.1600.