Zavion Knight Dies in Shooting at Falcon Crest, Juvenile Arrested

Could the owners and managers of the Falcon Crest apartment complex be considered liable for a shooting at their property between two juveniles?

A 17-year-old perished in a shooting at Falcon Crest after sustaining at least a single gunshot wound. Police responded to the complex shortly after 11 a.m. on December 22, 2021, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was identified as Zavion Knight by the Richmond County Coroner’s office. A 14-year-old female was arrested and charged with the murder. She is currently being charged as a juvenile.

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 Falcon Crest

Online reviews share the concerns of residents about crime and poor maintenance. “Not a good place to live,” simply states one review. Another shares that management “has no concern[s] about resident safety,” but that they “just want to get as much money from us as possible.” There are complaints about mold cited frequently amongst the reviews, along with air conditioning issues that have gone unfixed. A resident states, emotionally, “I am ashamed to live here.”

Only Crime Victims Can Demand Justice

Police and other law enforcement can catch criminals and help the criminal justice system hold these criminals accountable. They cannot, however, fight against the landlords who make their communities a welcome haven for criminal activity, nor can they compensate the families of the victims. It is only the families of the victims who can file a claim in civil court against the owners of the property. While filing a lawsuit cannot bring their loved ones back, it may be able to secure a monetary judgement that could help ease some of the suffering by allowing the family to move away from painful memories, provide for therapy, or immortalize their loved ones with a grant or similar charitable act. Perhaps more importantly, holding the property owners and managers financially accountable may be the only way to convince landlords that it is in their interest to make their communities safer and prevent such future tragedies from occurring. Only together can we Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.