Georgia Legal Report
(News 12)
Apartment Security Failure? Our Legal Take: Fatal Shooting Outside Georgian Place Apartments
Local News
Gunfire outside the Georgian Place apartment complex reportedly claimed the life of 22-year-old Deshaun Johnson and left 33-year-old Kevin Leslie injured Tuesday night, March 15, 2016.
According to News 12, police responded to shots fired “on the 1700 block of Valley Park Court West in the Georgian Place apartment complex,” at 7:29pm. Mr. Johnson, of Hephzibah, was discovered with fatal injuries at the scene.
Police learned Mr. Leslie, of Augusta, “had also been shot and fled the scene to Heritage Square Apartments, where he was then transported to Augusta University Medical Center for treatment.”
Initial media reports indicate police “received calls about gunshots on [Valley Park West] as well as the Heritage Place apartment complex….The two scenes are less than one mile from one another.” Police have not yet identified a gunman or motive in the shootings.
Our Legal Take
Apartment residents and guests have a right to feel safe and secure while on property. The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided to residents of the apartment complex and whether this shooting may have been prevented.
- How did the gunman gain entry to the property? What security measures, such as gated-entry, bright lighting, surveillance cameras and security patrols, were in place to protect residents and guests at the time of the shooting?
- Have there been previous incidents of violence on or near property and, if so, were any additional security precautions implemented by the complex owner and management to deter such crime?
By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents and guests legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the apartment complex owner or management company failed to provide adequate security, the family of Deshaun Johnson may elect to seek justice and pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death. Additionally, Mr. Leslie may elect to pursue a legal claim for any injuries suffered.
Based upon its long, extensive, and successful experience in handling negligent security cases against apartment complexes in the State of Georgia, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough, unbiased inspection of the apartment and property will need to be performed immediately, before any evidence may be repaired, damaged or destroyed.
We Fight for Victims of Apartment Security Negligence in Georgia…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Georgia Clients in Fulton County State Court.
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 706.494.2800. Consultations are free and confidential.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
A LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “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.”
