Jerry Glover Found Dead at Royal Oaks Apartment Complex

Could Royal Oaks Apartments be held liable for the tragic shooting in their parking lot which resulted in the death of 43-year-old Jerry Glover?

Atlanta police are investigating after responding to a shooting in the parking lot of Royal Oaks Apartments. Jerry Glover, a 43 year old man, was found dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and information on any possible suspects has not been released.

When landlords or property owners can foresee the possibility of crime occurring on their property, they have a duty to take reasonable measures to protect their residents. Visible cameras, perimeter fencing with access-controlled gates, adequate lighting, or even the presence of a private security guard has been shown to help deter violent crime.

Royal Oaks Apartments was flagged for 185 violations by Atlanta Police earlier this year after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported concerns by residents over neglectful management and maintenance at the property. Last year a suspect in the shooting of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd was arrested in the apartment complex. A 62 year-old resident was shot in 2017 after attempting to disperse a group of men smoking marijuana on her doorstep. Online reviews of the property are also riddled with criticisms. One resident calls for federal intervention and the arrests of the “slumlords.” One resident expresses concern that she “learned about the murders in the complex from the reviews and not the office.”

It’s up to the families of the victims, and the survivors of violent crimes to stand up for themselves and use the civil justice system to demand accountability and fight for compensation for their losses. By forcing property owners and managers to acknowledge crime on their property and make simple efforts to make their properties less attractive to criminals, we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.