Articles Tagged with Georgia Apartment Shooting

By
Huntsville Police Capt. Mark McMurray

Huntsville Police Capt. Mark McMurray

Local News

Police departments across the country are launching the Gold Star Property program, an anti-crime incentive program to assist apartment complex owners and managers in reducing violence and other crime in their communities. The program has currently found success in 44 states.

The Huntsville, AL police department is now hoping to bring this success to apartment communities in their city, having sent six officers for certification as instructors in the Gold Star program.

“These instructors will have classes throughout the year to teach apartment managers to keep their properties crime free,” HPD Capt. Mark McMurray announced to media.

“Sometimes management companies overlook the small things, making your property crime free means you need to put the proper locks on doors and windows, proper lighting in the parking lot, tenants need to sign a crime-free addendum that they will remain crime free, you need to do background checks on your tenants,” warns Capt. McMurray.

The HPD hopes to assist struggling property managers and owners with all types of crime, including loitering, drugs and violence. The changes needed to meet the Gold Star Property standards may be small, such as fresh paint and trash removal, or more complex. All property owners who complete the free program will be able to advertise as a certified Gold Star property.

Our Legal Take

The Murray Law Firm commends the Huntsville Police Department for taking the initiative to educate property owners on community safety and security. The Gold Star program is an invaluable training tool for apartment owners and managers to reduce and deter crime in their communities and it is our hope that every local apartment owner will take advantage of this free and potentially life-saving opportunity.

By law, apartment complex owners and management companies are required to protect all residents and guests legally on premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should an apartment owner have knowledge of previous crime on or near property and fail to implement adequate security precautions to protect residents and deter future crime, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a consequence.

The Murray Law Firm protects these victims of apartment violence and security negligence. Many of our Clients have been severely injured in, or lost family members to, apartment community violence, which may have been prevented. In their honor, we encourage all apartment owners and managers to work with their local police departments to improve the safety and security of their properties and deter crime. Perhaps, through such training and community cooperation, many other lives may be spared.

Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of apartment violence and security negligence. If you or a family member has been injured in an apartment complex, contact us now at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Screen Shot 2015-06-09 at 3.15.44 PMLocal News

A man was reportedly shot and killed outside the Kingstown Apartments in Decatur Monday morning, June 8, 2015.

According to 11 Alive News, investigators believe the shooting occurred near the 1625 apartment building on Line Street, shortly after midnight. The victim apparently attempted to escape in his SUV, but crashed into another vehicle.  Tragically, he succumbed to injuries at the scene.

Police are still searching for suspects and a motive.

Our Legal Take

As police continue to search for suspects, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a fatal apartment security lapse may also hold responsibility in this tragedy.

How did the gunman gain entry to the property? What access controls and security measures, such as gated entry, fencing, security patrols, bright lighting, and surveillance cameras, were in place to protect residents and deter crime? Did any such precautions fail?

By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm.  Should the Kingstown Apartments owner and management company have failed in this legal duty, the victim’s family may elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death.  Under such a claim, the family may be entitled to an award of damages that could include, among other items, substantial monetary compensation for: pain and suffering; loss of wages and future earning capacity; loss of consortium; and, mental anguish. If the facts of this matter warrant such a negligent security claim, it would not only be an avenue of justice for the victim’s family, but would also demand that the Kingstown complex re-evaluate security measures.  It would also serve as a grave warning to other Atlanta-area apartment owners to make resident safety their first priority.

Based upon its prior experience in handling negligent security claims in Georgia, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough inspection of the scene will need to be performed immediately on behalf of the victim’s family before any evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, may be repaired, damaged or destroyed. It is imperative that all evidence be preserved to ensure that the family’s interests are protected.

We are here to Help. Contact us for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of gun violence and security negligence in Georgia, and we offer our legal assistance to the victim in this potential claim, if desired.  Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Choosing the Right Attorney

Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.

Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!

You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:

ABA Center for Professional ResponsibilityA LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.

– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.

If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.

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