39-year-old Patrick Jones Dead at Britain Village apartments in Lawrenceville in Double Shooting

Could Britain Village apartments owners’ negligence lead to civil liability for a fatal double shooting at the complex?

A double shooting at the Britain Village apartments in Lawrenceville left one person dead and another critically injured.

Gwinnett police responded to the apartment building after reports of a person shot. Upon arrival, they found the body of 39-year-old Patrick Jones outside. A 49-year-old man was also found with multiple gunshot wounds and transported to a local hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition.

Police have not announced a motive for the incident and no arrests have been made. If you have any relevant information, investigators are asking you to contact the Gwinnett police department.

Is this Negligent Security under Georgia law?

Georgia state law compels property owners to adopt appropriate security measures if there is a possibility of crime and violence in an apartment complex. To reduce violent crime in the neighborhood, landlords and property managers may be required to put in place appropriate security measures such visible video cameras, on-site security, perimeter fence with access-controlled gates, and even a guard station at the entrance gate.

The good news is that studies have found that apartment complexes equipped with clearly visible security cameras, functional access-controlled gates, secure perimeter fencing, adequate lighting, and, when needed, professional security guards can reduce violent crime.

A History of Negligence at the Britain Village Apartments

A resident of Britain Village apartments left an online review describing poor conditions at the complex. It took “five months for them to go change a leaked ceiling,” the reviewer said. “They let anyone with having a criminal background live here.”

Only Crime Victims or Their Relatives Can Demand Justice

Property owners in Georgia are required by law to take reasonable precautions against potential crimes. Landlords frequently end up promoting a cycle of violence if they do not tackle criminal activity occurring in the neighborhood.

Although law enforcement can locate criminals and bring them to justice, there isn't much they can do to compel property owners to take precautions against crime on their property, and they are still unable to make amends to the families of the victims.

Only those who have survived a violent crime or the victim's family are qualified to file civil lawsuits against landlords and apartment managers. Even though it will never fully compensate for the anguish caused by violent crime, a civil judgment can help with expenditures like medical bills and lost wages as well as serve as a starting point for recovery.

If crime victims receive a sizeable financial settlement, property owners and managers may feel under pressure to take preventative measures to stop future violent crimes on their property

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