16-year-old fatally shot at The Villages at Carver apartments

Could The Villages at Carver apartment community's owners be held legally liable for the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy there?

Officers responded to the Southeast Atlanta apartment complex after a person was reported shot. The young shooting victim was found on the steps outside an apartment but died before he could be transported for medical care.

Neighbors at the apartment complex said they heard several rounds of gunfire, but do not know what led up to the shooting.

The young victim has not yet been identified and the incident remains under investigation.

Georgia Negligent Security Law

When landlords disregard potential criminal activity, neglect maintenance issues, or ignore security threats, and fail to take important steps to protect tenants and guests from those dangers, they could be encouraging a situation that invites more crime. In Georgia, apartment owners are obligated to take security precautions to deter potential crimes, and they face potential legal consequences if they don't.

The good news is that apartment complexes that install visible security cameras, secure perimeter fencing with working access-controlled gates, adequate lighting, and when the presence of criminal activity warrants, hire a private security guard has been shown to reduce violent crime.

A Long History of Crime at The Villages at Carver Apartments

There have been multiple shootings at The Villages at Carver Apartment complex just this year. In June, 17-year-old JaMarquez McCrary and 18-year-old Nyriek Olds were shot and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. In January, 30-year-old Oumar Mbodj was shot at the apartment complex and died after being transported to the hospital.

Additionally, in August, a teenager was shot while asleep in his apartment at the complex and a bystander was shot in a separate incident.

In online reviews, residents are justifiably worried about the violent crime, inadequate maintenance, and poor security efforts by the owners and managers of The Villages at Carver apartments.

“The main gate is wide open all day and night,” states one resident who wonders about the need for other gates if “anyone can get in as they please.”

“Roaches in every unit.” observes one reviewer who also observes “the exit gate is broken” and suggests “this community needs to be knocked down to the ground.”

Another review complains her daughter was “robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in broad daylight with children outside playing and neighbors watching.” She warns others not to move to these apartments, “they are very unsafe!”

Only Crime Victims or Their Relatives Can Demand Justice

Georgia law requires property owners to take reasonable precautions to deter foreseeable crimes. Apartment building managers often encourage a cycle of violence by ignoring violent crimes that occur in their community.

Law enforcement can detain criminals and bring them to justice, but there isn't much they can do to force property owners to take steps to prevent crime on their property – nor can they compensate victims or families of the victims.

Only the survivors of violent crime, or the victim's family, can file a civil lawsuit against property owners and managers. A civil judgment can assist with costs like medical bills and lost income as well as serve as a beginning step toward healing, even if it would never be able to completely make up for the anguish brought on by a violent criminal attack.

When victims receive a significant monetary settlement, property owners and managers could finally be made to take necessary precautions to deter future violent crimes on their property.

Together we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.