Robbery victim shot, died, at Seven Courts Apartments

Could the owners of the Seven Courts Apartments be held partially responsible in a civil court when a robbery on their premises turned deadly?

Police arrived at the Seven Courts Apartments in the evening of April 20, 2022.   They found a man suffering from a gunshot wound who was declared dead at the scene.  Details have been scarce, but homicide investigators have indicated that the shooting likely occurred during the commission of a robbery.   The name of the victim, as well as any potential suspects, has not been released. 

Georgia Negligent Security Law

Georgia state law requires that property owners take reasonable steps to curtail foreseeable crimes and keep their residents safe.  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 Seven Courts Apartments

Two men were shot in April, 2019, one fatally, at Seven Courts Apartments.  

Online reviews share resident concerns over safety.  “They say they have security, but they don’t,” begins one such review, “[there are] issues in the complex such as gambling, prostitution, drug dealing, broken appliances, and over flowing trash.  There are numerous cases of cars being broke in and stolen and home invasions.”  Another reviewer writes “drug busts, back to back shootings.”  One comment states, in full, “its a drug invested prostitute king pin [location].”

Only Crime Victims Can Demand Justice

Properties where crime frequently occurs can attract additional, and sometimes more dangerous, forms of criminal activity.  Police may bring the individual perpetrators of violent crime to justice and charge them in a criminal court of law.  There is little the police can do, however, when locations have turned into havens of criminal activity.  It is up to the families of the victims of violent crimes to bring a civil suit against landlords who have run afoul of Georgia’s negligent security laws.  They may win a monetary judgment.  The money would not bring their loved ones back to them, but it can help pay funeral costs, repay outstanding debts left behind, and provide the means to relocate to a safer area.  Perhaps more importantly, such a judgment may finally incentivize landlords to make the changes that they need in order to keep their residents safe and prevent future tragedy.  In this way, together, we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.