17-year-old boy fatally shot at Heritage Reserve Apartments in Decatur

A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed at the Heritage Reserve apartments in Decatur; could the property owners be found partially liable?

Police responded to the Heritage Reserve apartments in Decatur, GA after a 17-year-old boy was shot. Unfortunately, the teenager died of the gunshot wound before the police arrived.

Relatives say the teenager was just playing basketball in the apartment complex when a man shot him. The police have already arrested a 23-year-old suspect in connection with the shooting.

Georgia Negligent Security Law

In Georgia, if there is a possibility that criminal activity will occur on the property, the owner of the apartment is required by law to implement reasonable security precautions. Landlords might be compelled to adopt reasonable security measures like visible video cameras, on-site security, a perimeter fence with access-controlled gates, and even a guard station at the entrance gate to reduce crime in the community.

The good news is that studies have shown that obvious security cameras, working access-controlled gates, perimeter fencing, sufficient lighting, and, where necessary, private security guards can minimize violent crime in apartment complexes.

A History of Negligence at the Heritage Reserve Apartments

In March of 2022, a domestic violence incident escalated into an hours-long standoff with police at the apartment complex. The man was seen chasing a woman through the complex, firing his gun in her direction.

Resident Shantell Aikens told a reporter, “There was gunfire yesterday, there was gunfire two, three days ago. There’s always gunfire in this area, but never to this extent where you can’t get home and get to your own children. That’s just crazy.”

According to online reviews, “there’s constant shooting at night,” and “shootings happen every other day.” Other residents report rat infestations and a maintenance team that is slow to fix anything.

Only Crime Victims or Their Relatives Can Demand Justice

Georgia law mandates that property owners take adequate safeguards against potential crimes. If landlords ignore crime that has been occurring in the neighborhood, they typically wind up encouraging a cycle of violence.

Local police may be able to apprehend criminals and bring them to court, but there is little that they can do to compel property owners to implement reasonable security measures against crime on their property, and ultimately, they are unable to make amends to the families of the victims.

Only those who have survived a violent crime or the victim's loved ones are qualified to sue landlords and apartment managers in civil court. A civil judgment can assist with costs like medical bills and lost earnings as well as serve as a beginning point for healing, even if it will never entirely make up for the suffering brought on by violent crime.

It is important to realize that property owners and managers frequently only feel compelled to take the steps necessary to stop future violent crimes on their property after suffering financial losses in court.

Together we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.