The Legal Herald
(ABC 33)
Apartment Security Lapse? Our Legal Take: Teen Killed in Heights of Skyland Apartment Shooting
Local News
A 19-year-old young man was reportedly shot and killed outside the Heights of Skyland Apartments in Tuscaloosa Wednesday afternoon, January 13, 2016.
According to ABC 33, the young victim was shot in the parking lot of “the Heights of Skyland Apartments” on 18th Avenue East, shortly before 1:30pm. Police have not yet identified a suspect or motive in the shooting, presumably leaving local residents concerned for their safety. Per media reports, this young man is the fifth victim in a recent rash of local apartment shootings to occur in the area over the past week, claiming the lives of three teens and injuring two men.
Our Legal Take
Residents and guests of apartment complexes have a right to feel safe and secure within the community. Given the recent history of local apartment complex crime, The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at the apartment complex, and whether this tragedy may have been prevented.
- How did the gunman gain entry to the property? What security measures, such as gated-entry, surveillance cameras, and security patrols, were in place at the time of the shooting?
- Were any additional security precautions implemented by the apartment complex owner or management following the recent apartment complex shootings reported less than a mile away?
Generally, property owners are required to protect all residents 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 family of young decedent may seek justice and elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death.
Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that the victim’s family retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim. Based upon its prior experience in handling apartment security negligence claims, 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.
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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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