Man Found Dead in Stairwell of Mechanicsville Station

Could Columbia Residential, the manager of Mechanicsville Station, be liable in the deadly shooting of a man in their stairwell?

Atlanta police responded to a shooting at Mechanicsville Station, where they found the body of a man in the stairwell. Police indicated they are vetting information provided that is related to the killing. The investigation is ongoing, however, Atlanta police believe from the scene that the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.

Negligent Security Law

Under Georgia state law, property owners have a responsibility to their tenants to keep their communities safe. If crime is a foreseeable issue on the property, these landlords and property managers are required to take reasonable measures to prevent crime. Ensuring that the complex has a working gate, operational security cameras, a perimeter fence , and even private security may all be considered reasonable security measures a landlord might take to keep their tenants safe depending on a community’s history with violent crime.

Security Concerns at Mechanicsville Station

In July a woman was stabbed to death in the Mechanicsville neighborhood. On November, 29, 2020, a 13-year-old girl was injured inside her family’s apartment when a bullet grazed her head after shots were fired inside the community. In November, 2019, 4 people carjacked 2 women, one of whom was murdered. A man who came to her aid was also shot. The third victim was not injured but her car was taken by the carjacker.

Online reviews allege issues with working security cameras and there are complaints of repeated instances of package theft. One tenant states “cameras are useless unless it benefits management.” Another claims “the entrance gate breaks every couple months.”

Only Crime Victims Can Demand Justice

When foreseeable crime occurs that might have been prevented by reasonable measures, the owners and managers can be held liable for the damages. It is up to the families of the victims and the survivors of violent crime to demand justice in the civil court system. By demanding compensation for the pain and loss that results from violent crime, survivors can begin to rebuild their lives while motivating property owners and managers to make the necessary security upgrades necessary to keep residents safe . In this way, we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.