Pregnant woman shot, loses baby days before due date at the Villas at Hampton

Could the owners of the Villas at Hampton be held civilly liable in the terrible tragedy that occurred on their property?

Princess Wolfe, a resident of the Villas at Hampton, was nine months pregnant and sleeping peacefully in her bedroom with her nine-year-old daughter when gunfire erupted outside her home.  Wolfe was shot twice in the stomach when the bullets entered her apartment.  During the event, her daughter was kept safe when Wolfe pushed her to the floor. Wolfe was rushed to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save the unborn child. 

Georgia Negligent Security Law

Georgia state law requires that property owners take reasonable steps to protect residents from  foreseeable criminal threats..  In response to known past criminal incidents on the property, particularly those of a violent nature, the landlord may be expected to implement additional security measures, which could include perimeter fencing with adequate automatic gates, visible security cameras throughout the property, adequate lighting, and perhaps even  on-site security.  Should they fail to do so, the owners could be held liable in a civil court of law for the results of violent crime that occured on their property.

A History of Crime at the Villas at Hampton

Online reviews express an outcry from residents over security concerns on the property.  “There is a man that walks around . . . who terrorizes people,” begins one review.  “This place turns into New Jack City at night,” another tenant writes, alluding to the 1991 crime/action film, “we had our car license plates stolen, someone tried to break into our apartment, [there were] numerous packages stolen.” 

Only Crime Victims Can Demand Justice

Police may apprehend the shooters and bring them to face justice.  However, there is little that officers of the law can do to make landlords take appropriate measures to protect their communities.  The families of the survivors of violent crimes can bring an action against a landlord or management company in civil court, where they might secure a monetary judgment.  A judgment cannot undo their trauma or bring our loved ones back to us, but it can help with funeral costs, moving expenses, and aid the family through a difficult time.  In some cases where victims are awarded a significant amount of money, it can cause property owners and managers to make significant security enhancements to prevent future violence on their properties. If we can compel landlords to improve security on their properties, then we can help Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.