Local News
38-year-old Clifford Hogan was reportedly shot and killed while protecting his family during a robbery at the Sinclair Apartments in Norcross Saturday morning, September 27, 2014.
The Gwinnett Daily Post reports, Christine Morris awoke to intruders at her Sinclair apartment home, just before 4:30am Saturday morning. Two men reportedly kicked in her apartment door. Clifford Hogan apparently leapt out of bed to protect his pregnant fiancé and 10-year-old daughter.
Ms. Morris repotedly told media, “As soon as he got out of bed and stood up, they shot him.” The intruders apparently shot Mr. Hogan once in the abdomen and then forced Ms. Morris to lay down in the bathtub while they robbed their apartment and fled the scene. Mr. Hogan later perished from injuries at Gwinnett Medical Center, per media reports.
A candlelight vigil was reportedly held by family and friends in Mr. Hogan’s memory outside his apartment Sunday. Ms. Morris recalls, “He was a good person. He had a big heart and always helped anybody when they needed it.”
Our Legal Take
As police continue to search for suspects, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a fatal apartment security lapse may have also contributed to this tragedy.
How were the gunmen able to gain access to the Sinclair Apartments? What security measures, such as an access-controlled gates, security fences, surveillance cameras, and security patrols, were in place and working at the time of the break-in?
The suspects were apparently able to kick in the apartment door. What security precautions, such as deadbolts, steel-framing and alarm systems, were available to Ms. Morris and Mr. Hogan at the time of the home invasion?
By law, property owners are required to protect residents and guests legally on premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should an apartment owner have knowledge of violence on or near property, they have a duty to implement extraordinary security precautions to deter future violence and crime.
The Murray Law Firm suggests it is possible the owner and management of Sinclair Apartments may have failed in this duty. If so, Ms. Morris and the family of Clifford Hogan may elect to hold the property civilly liable in his wrongful death. Claims of this magnitude, potentially in the millions of dollars, would demand Sinclair Apartments and other local apartment communities finally make resident safety their first priority. Perhaps, through these claims, many other lives may be spared.
Photographs and a thorough inspection of the property will need to be performed to ensure all evidence, such as the broken door and property surveillance footage, is preserved and the family’s best interests are protected.
The Murray Law Firm works tirelessly to protect victims of apartment violence and 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.
