Security Failure? Our Legal Take: 2 Killed, 2 Injured in Fayetteville Apartment Shooting
Did negligent security contribute to the deaths of these young men and the injury of two others? Read Our Legal Take to find out if the victims’ families may have a legal avenue for justice and claims for compensation.
Local News
A shooting outside the Southwood apartment complex in Fayetteville reportedly claimed the lives of two men and left two others injured Sunday, August 28, 2016.
29-year-old Derrick McClain and 27-year-old Derrick Robinson were shot “in the Southwood Apartment Complex early Sunday morning,” WNCN News reports. “Fayetteville Police Officers responded to a report of a shooting in front of the apartments at 4:53 a.m. where they found [two individuals] with gunshot wounds.”
Two other victims, 27-year-old Darrell Hinton and 28-year-old Kenneth Shaw, apparently suffered “non-life threatening injuries” in the incident, per WNCN 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 shooting may have been prevented.
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What security measures, such as bright lighting, gated-entry, security patrols, and surveillance cameras, were in place to deter crime at the time of the shooting?
- August 2016 crime reports, from Spotcrime.com, reveal a number of assaults and robberies in the surrounding area. Was the apartment complex aware of any prior criminal activity on or near the property? If so, were additional security precautions implemented by the property owner or management to protect residents?
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 families of Mr. McClain and Mr. Robinson may seek justice and elect to pursue a legal claim for their wrongful deaths. Additionally, Mr. Hinton and Mr. Shaw may pursue claims 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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