Articles Posted in Mall Crime

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Willie Redditt IV Killed in South Fulton Shopping Center Shooting.

Willie Redditt IV Killed in South Fulton Shopping Center Shooting. (CBS46.com)

Did negligent security contribute to this tragic loss of life and are justice and compensation available to Mr. Redditt’s family?

LOCAL NEWS

Gunfire erupted outside a South Fulton, Georgia Shopping Center on Friday evening, March 2, 2019, leaving one male teen shot and killed.  According to CBS46.com, “[a]n 18-year-old was fatally shot in a Kroger shopping center off of Old National Highway…the shooting took place around 7 p.m. in the 6000 block.” WSBtv.com is reporting “[s]urveillance video caught the last seconds of [the] teen’s life as he left a barbershop in the mall.”  The news story reports the victim as “18-year-old Willie Redditt IV.”

The suspect fled the scene and the investigation is ongoing according to media outlets.

OUR LEGAL TAKE

Shopping center patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises. The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at the shopping center and whether this tragedy may have been prevented.

  • Have there been prior incidents of violence on or near the property?
  • Was there any reports of suspicious activity prior to the incident?
  • What security measures, such as monitored surveillance cameras and visible security patrols, were in place to deter crime and protect Mr. Redditt at the time of the shooting?

Generally, property owners are required to protect all those legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the property owner failed to provide adequate security to protect those on its premises, Willie Reddit’s family may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims for their loss.

Based upon its prior successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed immediately, before any evidence may be repaired, damaged or destroyed. Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that Mr. Redditt’s family retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim.

OUR RESULTS

The Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims and their families and security negligence.  We have obtained over $100 Million in verdicts and settlementsfor out Clients, including a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.

We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover.  Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.

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DISCLAIMERS:  The information contained in this post is from secondary sources and may therefore contain inaccuracies. We will gladly correct or remove this post upon request.  The material contained in this post is not intended to constitute legal advice. As each Client is unique, please contact us for a free consultation on your particular case.  “Contingent attorneys’ fees” refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.

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https://www.georgialegalreport.com/files/2018/12/Screen-Shot-2018-12-11-at-8.33.45-AM-300x241.png

(SPD)

Savannah-Chatham police have stepped up patrols near retail stores to protect shoppers and reduce holiday crime. SCMPD’s “Jingle Bell Patrol” is an effort to protect shoppers where they are most vulnerable.

The Savannah Morning News reports, “[a]dditional officers are placed on busy streets, in commercial parking lots and near high traffic retail zones in search of auto break-ins, robberies or shoplifting.”

While shopping center safety is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner, holiday shoppers can take steps to protect their families and reduce risk. The Savannah Police Department urges shoppers to practice holiday safety precautions:

  • Limit the amount of cash you carry. Try to use debit or credit cards.
  • Keep your cell phone in a pocket rather than your purse.
  • Shop with someone else. The more the better.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Park in a well-lit area.
  • Always store valuables out of sight.
  • Lock your car and make sure windows are up.
  • Take all keys.
  • If you have to make a run to the car, hide the purchases in the trunk or another secure area and consider re-parking.
  • Consider making your most expensive purchases last so you can head straight home with them.
  • Have your keys ready when you approach your car. (Your keys can be used as a defensive weapon if necessary.)
  • Look around the car to assure that no one is lurking around or in the car before entering.
  • Consolidate smaller purchases into one or two large shopping bags.
  • Take a photo of your child before shopping. If they become lost, you will have a current photo of them in the clothes they are wearing that can aid in more quickly finding them.
  • Point out security guards or store offices so your children know where to go if they do become separated.

Read the complete list of SPD holiday safety tips.

Victims of Georgia Store and Parking Lot Violence: Know Your Rights

Mall and shopping center patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment they are visiting. By Georgia law, property owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should a mall or retail center owner have knowledge of prior violence on or near property, they have a responsibility to implement additional security precautions to protect patrons and deter such crime. Should a shopping center or retail parking lot owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, sexual assaults, or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

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https://www.georgialegalreport.com/files/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-26-at-12.18.00-AM-300x216.png

(AJC)

Georgia mall and parking facility owners have a responsibility to protect their patrons from violent crime, sexual assault, and foreseeable harm. Mall parking garages are often targets for such criminal activity due to numerous dark hiding places and frequently vulnerable customers, carrying shopping bags, car keys, and valuables ready for the taking. However, all too often, mall parking facility security measures are overlooked and understaffed.

The Atlanta Police Department recently told The AJC, “Thirty-six million people [went] through Phipps (Plaza) and Lenox (Square) last year. There’s 11,500 parking spots. That’s a city in itself within a two-block radius.” With crime in the Buckhead area up 20 percent from last year, the department is calling on “the big-box stores and the malls…to hire some off-duty cops.”

Earlier this month, FOX 5 reports, a man was carjacked while “taking a nap at a parking deck at Lenox Square.” In January, a woman told the AJC she “was assaulted in a Buckhead parking garage while “leaving the Target on Peachtree Road near Phipps Plaza.”

The harrowing incidents serve as grave reminders that Georgia mall and parking facility owners need to provide a safe and secure space for patrons entering and exiting their establishment. Parking facility security measures may include guarded entry, bright lighting, security patrols, off-duty police officers, patron escorts, and actively monitored surveillance cameras. Further, staff should be properly trained to watch for and respond to violence and suspicious behavior, such as those loitering between cars.

Victims of Mall Parking Garage Assault or Injury: What Are My Legal Options for Justice and Compensation?

As each case and property is unique, victims of parking garage and mall crime should speak with an experienced security negligence firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, is preserved and their best interests are protected.

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