Gated Entry Appears Open at Villas at Druid Hills
Local News
A 24-year-old man was reportedly injured during a shooting at the Villas at Druid Hills apartment complex Thursday, November 20, 2014.
According to the AJC, the vicim was discovered by police near the apartment complex gate, shortly before 11:00pm Thursday evening. Police spokesperson Carlos Nino told media the victim was shot during an attempted robbery. Two suspects apparently demanded the victim’s wallet and shot him in the leg when he refused.
The victim was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. Police have not yet identified suspects in the shooting.
Our Legal Take
As police continue to search for the assailants, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a potentially fatal security lapse at the Villas at Druid Hills apartment complex may also hold responsibility in this shooting.
Another shooting occurred on property in 2012. What additional security measures, if any, were implemented by the owner and management following the previous shooting? How did these precautions fail?
Were the assailants residents of the Villas at Druid Hills complex and, if not, how did they gain access to the property? What access-controls, such as security fencing, gated or ID card controlled entry, and security guards, were in place at the time of the shooting? Were the apartment gates and fencing broken at the time of the shooting?
The shooting apparently occurred outside on the apartment complex grounds? What security measures, such as bright lighting, surveillance cameras and emergency call boxes, were available to the victim on the apartment complex grounds?
As the details of this investigation continue to emerge, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible the owner and management of Villas at Druid Hills failed in their duty to protect this young victim.
By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents and guests legally on premises from any foreseeable harm. Should an owner have knowledge of previous crime on or near property, they have a duty to implement extraordinary security measures to protect residents and prevent future violence.
Should the owner and management of Villas at Druid Hills have failed in this responsibility, the victim may elect to hold the property civilly liable for his injuries. Claims of this magnitude, potentially in the millions of dollars, will demand the apartment complex finally implement proper security and send a much-needed message to other Georgia apartment owners on the need to make resident safety their first priority.
Photographs and a thorough inspection of the property will need to be performed on the victim’s behalf without delay to ensure all evidence, such as broken gates or surveillance footage, is preserved and his best interests are protected.
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. Consultations are free and confidential.
