Security Lapse? Our Legal Take: Young Man Shot, Killed at Windwood Apartments, Austell

(CBS 46 News)

(CBS 46 News)

Local News

23-year-old Anthony Terrell Tavarez was tragically shot and killed in a Windwood Apartments breezeway Wednesday morning, September 16, 2015.

According to WFXG News, police responded to multiple calls of shots fired outside the Windwood Apartments on Shanandoah Trail, shortly after 12:30am, where Mr. Tavarez reportedly suffered a fatal gunshot wound.  The AJC reports that Mr. Tavarez is the son of a retired Atlanta Police detective.

WFXG news interviewed Mr. Tavrez’ grandmother, who told the news organization “[h]e…hugged me yesterday when he came over to feed his dogs, him and his girlfriend and the little baby and I went out to the truck and he said, ‘Grand Mamma, I’ll see you later.’ He gave me a really tight hug and I didn’t think I wouldn’t ever see my grandson again.”

Police have not yet identified a suspect or motive in the shooting.

Our Legal Take

As police continue to search for suspects, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a potential apartment security lapse may also hold responsibility in this tragedy. Residents and guests of apartment complexes have a right to feel safe and secure while in the community, and The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided to those on the property.

  • How did the gunman gain entry to the property? What access-controls and security measures, such as gated entry, fencing, surveillance cameras, bright lighting, and security patrols, were in place to protect residents and deter crime?
  • Have there been prior incidents of violence on or near property and, if so, were any additional security precautions taken by the Windwood owner and management?

By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents and guests legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm.  Should the facts of this matter reveal that the Windwood Apartments owner or management company failed to provide adequate security, the family of young Mr. Tavarez may elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death. Based upon its extensive and successful experience in handling negligent security cases against apartment complexes in Georgia, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough, unbiased inspection of the apartment and property will need to be performed immediately, before any evidence may be repaired, damaged or destroyed.

We Fight for Victims of Security Negligence in Georgia…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

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Recent Unsafe Property Verdict

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients.

We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.

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