Local News
A shooting outside the Villages at Carver Apartments claimed the life of one person and left another injured Thursday, December 4, 2014.
According to 11 Alive News, the double shooting occurred outside the Villages at Carver Apartments on Moury Avenue at Bickers Drive. One person perished from injuries at the scene and another was transported to Grady Memorial with injuries.
Police have not identified a suspect or motive in the shooting.
Our Legal Take
As police continue their investigation, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a fatal security lapse at the Villages at Carver Apartments may have contributed to this tragedy.
December Crime Map of Southeast Atlanta Neighborhood Surrounding Villages at Carver (spotcrime.com)
Crime reports of the surrounding area reveal a staggering number of recent robberies and assaults. What additional security precautions were implemented by the owner and management of the Villages at Carver Apartments to protect residents and deter violence following previous community crime?
Was the gunman a resident of the Villages at Carver Apartments and, if not, how did he obtain access to the property? What access controls, such as a security fence, gated entry, security patrol, and surveillance cameras, were in place and working at the time of the shooting? Was the parking lot equipped with bright lighting and emergency call boxes to protect residents and guests entering and exiting the property? How did these security measures fail?
Given the history of crime in the surrounding southeast Atlanta area, the family of the victim may be entitled to pursue civil action against the owner and management of Villages at Carver for his wrongful death.
Under Georgia law, an apartment owner has a duty to protect residents from any foreseeable harm. For example, should an apartment owner have reason to anticipate criminal activity on their property through knowledge of prior crime on or near their property, the owner and management must take extraordinary precautions to protect residents and prevent future crime. Should the owner and management fail in this responsibility, they may be held liable for all injuries and deaths that occur as a consequence.
Claims of this magnitude, potentially in the millions of dollars, will demand the Villages at Carver apartment complex finally implement proper security measures and send a gravely needed message to all southeast Atlanta apartment owners and law enforcement on the need to improve security measures and increase law enforcement in this neighborhood. Perhaps, through these claims, many other families may be spared such a tragedy.
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. Consultations are free and confidential.
