Rideshare Driver Shot After Dropping off Customer at Country Oaks Apartments

Could the owners of Country Oak Apartments be civilly liable in the injury of a rideshare driver who was dropping off a fare on their property? 

Police responded to a call at the Country Oaks Apartments around 9 p.m. on December 17, 2021. A rideshare driver had just finished dropping off his fare when a passenger in a car at the complex shot him. The victim’s name has not been released; however, he was taken to the hospital where he is in stable condition. Police have not released the names of any potential suspects or confirmed if the shooting was intentional or a random act of violence.

Georgia 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. Visible security cameras, onsite security, perimeter fencing with access-controlled gates, and even a security station at the entrance gate are all measures that property owners might be required to take to curtail crime on their premises.

A History of Crime at Country Oak Apartments

This is not the first shooting to have occurred on the premises. In September a gunfight in the parking lot caused a resident to be hit with two stray bullets. In August one man was killed and another injured as a result of a shooting on the property. In June, 2021, one man was killed after an argument with his neighbor. The neighbor was arrested for the killing.

An online review cites resident security concerns. “Not secured but it is a gated community . . . security needs to be at the gate not letting the wrong [people] in.” Previous reviews also express concerns about crime on the property. “Security is a joke . . . there are quite a few killings,” writes one reviewer. Another writes that the property is “dirty full of gang[s].” One resident warns that it is “a very bad place to stay and raise kids.”

Only Crime Victims Can Demand Justice

Law enforcement can investigate a crime and hold criminals accountable in the criminal justice system, but they can do only so much to prevent crime, and they cannot compensate victims for their loss. When landlords fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable crime, the owners and managers could be held liable for damages. It is up to the survivors of violent crime to demand justice in the civil court system. By filing a negligent security lawsuit, the victim may receive a monetary judgement and, more importantly, incentivize the landlord to make the necessary changes to make the apartment complex better and more safe for all. Together we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.