Georgia Legal Report
(AJC)
Security Lapse? Our Legal Take: Man Killed in Forest Cove Apartment Shooting
Local News
A man was reportedly shot and killed outside the Forest Cove Apartments Monday afternoon, July 20, 2015, raising possible questions over apartment security measures.
According to the AJC, the victim was outside the Forest Cove Apartments on New Town Circle SE, around 2:00pm, when he was shot multiple times by two gunmen. Residents reportedly saw the gunmen flee the scene on foot and attempted to help their neighbor, whom they called “Graveyard.” The victim was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to fatal injuries.
Police are still searching for suspects, once again leaving Forest Cove residents concerned for the safety of their families. One resident informed the AJC that “[t]here’s always something, every day…[t]his is like an everyday thing out here,” referring to crime on the property. Per AJC reports, “Forest Cove has been the scene of several crimes during the last 15 months.”
Our Legal Take
The Murray Law Firm is aware of prior criminal activity at the Forest Cove complex, including the October 2014 shooting of a 1-year-old boy, and believes that the community violence must stop. Another violent crime raises grave questions over a potential pattern of apartment security negligence, and whether this incident could have been prevented.
- What additional security measures were taken by the owner and management company of the Forest Cove apartment complex, following previously reported property violence, to protect residents and deter crime? Did any such precautions fail?
- What security measures and access controls, such as gated entry, bright lighting, security patrols, and surveillance cameras, were in place to deter crime and protect residents?
By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the Forest Cove apartment owner and management company failed to provide adequate security, the family of the victim may elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death. Under such a claim the victim’s family may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation for their loss.
Given the complexities of pursuing such a potential case, it is imperative that the victim’s family immediately retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim. Based upon its prior experience in handling apartment complex security cases in the Atlanta area, 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’ve Recovered Millions for our Victims of Gun Violence in Atlanta…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of gun violence and security negligence in the Atlanta area, and we offer our legal assistance if desired. We typically 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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