The Legal Herald
(Live 5/FOX 54)
Security Lapse? Our Legal Take: Fatal Summerville SC Apartment Shooting
Did negligent security contribute to the death of this young man? Read Our Legal Take to find out if the victim’s family may have a legal avenue for justice and claims for compensation.
Local News
21-year-old Stefon Chapman was reportedly shot and killed outside the Magnolia Place apartment complex Saturday morning, September 17, 2016.
According to FOX 54 News, Summerville police discovered Mr. Chapman “with a gunshot wound in the backyard behind the Magnolia Place Apartment Complex.”
“Neighbors feel [Mr.] Chapman could have been trying to get away when he died,” FOX 54 reports. Bullet holes and shell casings were apparently found in multiple apartments and on the pavement.
“[T]his shooting comes more than a week after an armed robbery nearly 100 yards from the complex,” according to 5 News 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 tragedy may have been prevented.
- How did the assailant gain entry to the property? 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?
- 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 family of Stefon Chapman may seek justice and elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death.
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 victim’s family retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim.
We’ve Recovered Millions for Victims of Apartment Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
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.
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 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
