Double Fatal Shooting at The Spectrum on Spring Apartments Ends With Arrest

Could a double homicide at the Spectrum on Spring apartments leave the building's owners liable for negligent security? 

An early morning shooting at the Spectrum on Spring apartments in Midtown Atlanta resulted in the tragic deaths of two people from gunshot wounds to their upper and lower torsos.

Police say they responded to the Spectrum on Spring apartments after reports of gunfire at the property. Police arrested Phillip S. Mills and have charged him with two counts of murder and aggravated assault. He is currently in custody at the Fulton County Jail.

The identities of the victims has not been released by investigators.

Georgia Negligent Security Law

Owners of apartment buildings in Atlanta are required by law to take reasonable security measures if criminal activity is likely to occur on the property. To reduce crime in the complex, landlords could be obligated to put in place effective security measures such as visible video cameras, on-site security, a perimeter fence with access-controlled gates, and even a guard station at the entrance gate and parking garage.

The good news is that the research has shown that visible security cameras, functional access-controlled gates, secure perimeter fencing, adequate lighting, and, where required, private security guards can reduce violent crime in apartment buildings.

A History of Negligence at the Spectrum on Spring Apartments

Apartment residents have left online reviews with a long list of security and maintenance related issues. “One of the worst properties you could live at,” writes one resident. “They Airbnb units to random people traveling to Atlanta… so there are random people just walking in and out of the apartment that have access to it.”

The lack of a security presence is also an issue, “They provide security but the security is highly negligent. They are absent a majority of the time and do not do their job.” The resident says their car “has been broken into twice.”

“The elevator is down every weekend, if not every day,” states another resident. “It’s been this way since we moved in.”

“Don’t move here, you will regret it,” says another reviewer. “Building is not properly maintained and absent management.”

Only Crime Victims or Their Relatives Can Demand Justice

Georgia law requires apartment owners to take sensible steps to prevent foreseeable crimes. If landlords do not address criminal activity occurring in the community, they frequently wind up encouraging a cycle of violence.

Although police can track down criminals and bring them to justice, there isn't much they can do to force property owners to take preventative measures against crime on their property, and they cannot make amends to the victims' families.

Only those who have survived a violent crime or the victim's family are able to file a civil lawsuit against property owners and managers. Even though it will never fully compensate for the anguish caused by violent crime, a civil judgment can help with expenditures like medical bills and lost wages as well as serve as a starting point for recovery.

It is important to understand that when property owners suffer major financial losses in court, they often feel compelled to take precautions to prevent future violent crimes on their property.

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