Darien Gatewood, 30, Killed at Sorelle Apartments

Could Sorelle Apartments be found liable in a shooting at their property?

Darien Gatewood, died of a gunshot wound sustained at Sorelle Apartments on October 15. Officers responded to a report of gunshots in the area, and pronounced Gatewood dead at the scene. According to Atlanta police, the shooting did not appear random; however, the investigation of the murder is ongoing. Sorelle Apartments is located near the Lindberg MATA station, an area which has seen a rise in criminal activity in recent years.

Negligent Security Law

When property owners ignore obvious criminal behavior and fail to take efforts to keep control of who has access to their property, they may be creating an environment that invites additional crime. Under Georgia law, property owners may be held liable if they do not take reasonable measures to prevent foreseeable crimes. Visible cameras, perimeter fencing with access-controlled gates, adequate lighting, or even the presence of a private security guard have been shown to help deter violent crime.

A History of Crime at Sorelle Apartments

Last April, the MATA station in Lindberg was the scene of a murder of a 40-year-old man. In May of this year, three people were shot in the parking lot of a Lindberg Home Depot after a fight spilled over from a nearby pool party. Just one month later, two people were shot during an altercation at a local gas station. While the Lindberg neighborhood itself has seen an increase in crime, Sorelle Apartments is no stranger to criminal activity either. Online reviews suggest residents are tired of criminal activity at the property. One resident states “Today is the third time my car has been broken into in the parking deck in the past year. … Management still refuses to put up cameras inside the parking deck.” Another agrees, saying “cars are always getting broken into.” A resident cites that there were “human feces and underwear on the first floor starwell” along with “break-ins” and “domestic violence.” Another review website lists further complaints from residents. Residents complain that the “security gate [is] always broken” and that “the trash dump is always bordering on a health and safety concern.” Finally one resident cries “wish we have less apts and car break ins more security/safety cameras in all floors”

Only Crime Victims Can Demand Justice

In communities all over Atlanta, landlords may not be taking the measures they need to keep their tenants safe. It is up to the survivors of violent crime -- and the families of the victims -- to use the civil justice system to hold these landlords responsible for not meeting obligations and taking reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable crime. Together we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.