Lewis Cherry, 65, shot and killed at troubled Freedom Park Apartments
Police in South Fulton are seeking assistance in locating a suspect involved in the fatal shooting of 65-year-old Lewis Cherry from Riverdale, which occurred last Friday at the Freedom Park Apartments which is known for a high frequency of crime at the complex.
Cherry was discovered with a gunshot injury around 1 p.m. and later succumbed to his injuries despite emergency medical efforts. Information regarding what led up to Cherry's shooting has not been disclosed.
The apartment complex, previously known as Hickory Park, was identified as one of 272 dangerous locations in the metro area by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution due to frequent serious crimes and maintenance issues. The public is urged to contact the South Fulton Police with any relevant information
Georgia Negligent Security Law
In Georgia, property owners are legally required to take steps to prevent crime on their property. This includes maintaining security measures, such as security cameras, fencing, and lighting, and addressing any illegal activity or maintenance issues that could create a dangerous environment. If a property owner fails to take these steps, they could be held liable for any crimes that occur on their property.
Property owners can reduce crime by implementing several measures including installing security cameras to deter criminals and identify them after crimes, fencing the property to prevent unauthorized access and enhance security, Improving lighting to make it harder for crimes to go unnoticed, and hiring security guards in high-crime areas to patrol the property. Taking these steps can significantly enhance the safety of residents and visitors
A History of Crime at the Freedom Park Apartments
The Freedom Park Apartments has a notorious history and has been the scene of numerous violent incidents, including two homicides in June 2020 and September 2017, a shooting in October 2021 that resulted in six individuals being injured, a September 2020 shooting that left a man in critical condition, a January 2020 incident where one individual sustained injuries from a shooting, and an April 2019 homicide that injured three people, among them a 1-year-old child. In December 2023, another person was shot and thankfully survived their injuries.
Online reviews indicate unsafe living situations for residents. "they do not have security" states one review. "there’s fights and shoot outs every night. A baby got shot on property. The cops only come when someone gets badly hurt,” they added.
Only Crime Victims or Their Relatives Can Demand Justice
Georgia law mandates that property proprietors exercise due diligence in averting predictable criminal acts. The lack of reporting violent incidents in the vicinity of apartment complexes could perpetuate a cycle of violence.
Although police forces have the authority to apprehend and prosecute offenders, they lack the jurisdiction to obligate landowners to implement necessary crime prevention measures on their premises or to compensate for the emotional and financial toll incurred by the victims' families.
Survivors of violent crimes or victims' families are the only ones who can initiate a civil lawsuit against property owners and managers. A civil judgment can help cover expenses such as medical bills and lost wages and provide a starting point for healing, even though it may not fully compensate for the pain caused by a violent attack.
It’s important to note that significant financial compensation to victims may prompt property owners and managers to implement safety measures to prevent future criminal activity on their property.
Together we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.
