Local News Update
Ungated Entrance to Cross Keys Apartments (WTVM)
The Columbus community is seeking answers and justice in the death of Markeese Hodge. Mayor Teresa Tomlinson now plans to tour the Cross Keys Apartments where Mr. Hodge was fatally shot on Wednesday, August 6, 2014.
According to WTVM News, Mayor Tomlinson will tour the Cross Keys apartment community, an area she is calling “a potential crime haven.” The mayor plans to speak with residents to determine how the city may better deter crime in the area and protect residents.
The announcement comes one week after the tragic death of Markeese Hodge. Mr. Hodge and his friend were shot in the complex parking lot, the fifth Cross Keys shooting victims in a violent one week span. Three others were shot in the complex parking lot on July 26, 2014.
The city tour, originally scheduled for this week, will now take place next week as the owner of Cross Keys is currently out of town.
Our Legal Take
The Murray Law Firm is following media updates of this tragedy closely and, while we are relieved the city is taking steps to monitor the growing violence inside the apartment complex, we question why the owner and management of Cross Keys would postpone a meeting that could potentially save the lives of their residents. What priority could possibly come before the safety of their residents?
Two weeks ago, three people were shot inside the complex, including an American soldier. Last week, 27-year-old Markeese Hodge lost his life to a shooting inside the complex. Clearly, every week that goes by without action poses a risk to residents. Every day that goes by families have to live in fear inside their own homes. Not only does the apartment complex need to take actions to protect residents from future violence, they need to answer questions for the family of Markeese Hodge and the injured victims of these shootings.
What security measures were implemented to protect residents and guests following the previous crime on property? How did these security measures fail during the two recent shootings?
Was the gunman a resident of Cross Keys and, if not, how did he gain access to the property? What access-control measures, such as gates, security patrols, fencing, and ID card entry were in place and working at the time of the shootings?
Given the history of parking lot violence, what security precautions, such as bright lighting, emergency call boxes, surveillance cameras, and security or police patrols, were in place to deter crime and protect residents and their guests?
Georgia apartment owners and managers are required by law to protect residents and guests legally on premises from foreseeable harm. Should an apartment owner have knowledge of previous violence on or near property, it is their duty to take extraordinary security measures to protect residents and deter future crime. Given the recent pattern of violence at Cross Keys Apartments, it is possible the owner and management failed in their duty to take such security precautions.
Should the owner and manager be found at fault for failing to protect Mr. Hodge, his family may elect to hold the apartment complex civilly liable for his wrongful death. The other injured victims of these shootings may also elect to file claims for their injuries. Total claims may be in the millions of dollars and will, most importantly, demand this apartment complex finally make resident safety their first priority.
Photographs and a thorough inspection of the property will need to be performed on behalf of the victims immediately, before any evidence may be damaged, destroyed or repaired. The Hodge family and the injured victims should retain an experienced premises liability firm without delay to ensure all evidence is properly preserved and their best interests are protected.
The Murray Law Firm works tirelessly for victims of apartment violence and property owner negligence and we offer our legal expertise, if needed. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 706.494.2800. Consultations are free and confidential.
