The Legal Herald
(KHOU 11 News)
Negligent Security? Our Legal Take: Child Injured in Fatal Houston Apartment Shooting
Did negligent security contribute to the shooting of four people? Read Our Legal Take to find out if the victims and their families may have a claim for compensation.
Local News
A shooting outside the Napoleon Square apartment complex swimming pool reportedly claimed the life of one man and left three others injured, including a toddler.
According to ABC 13 News, the shooting “took place after a fight broke out at the pool at the Napoleon Square Apartments in the 6000 block of Elm Street.” One man succumbed to fatal injuries “at the scene,” while a “a 21-year-old male, a 19-year-old female and a 3-year-old boy were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries,” KHOU News reports.
Police have not yet identified a suspect or motive in the attack.
Media reports indicate another shooting occurred in the complex in December 2009. “[A] teenager was visiting friends when a man confronted him in the parking lot, then shot him several times,” ABC 30 reports.
Our Legal Take
Apartment residents and guests have a right to feel safe and secure within the community. The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at the apartment complex and whether this horrific shooting may have been prevented.
- How did the gunman gain access to the property? What security measures, such as gated entry, security patrols, and surveillance cameras, were in place to protect residents and guests at the time of the shooting?
- Was the apartment complex aware of any prior incidents of violence on or near the property? If so, were additional security precautions implemented by the property owner or management to deter crime?
Generally, property 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 apartment complex owner or management company failed to provide adequate security to protect those on its premises, the victim’s family may seek justice and elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death. Additionally, the other victims of this shooting may elect to pursue a legal claim for their injuries.
Based upon its prior successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed immediately, before any evidence may be repaired, damaged or destroyed. Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that the victims retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim.
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The Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.
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