The Legal Herald
(CBS-DFW)
Was Security Adequate? Our Legal Take: 1 Shot in Walnut Hill Lane Apartment Robbery, Dallas
Local News
A 21-year-old man was reportedly shot and injured during a robbery outside a Walnut Hill Lane apartment in Dallas Saturday night, August 29, 2015. The Dallas Morning News has identified the apartment complex as “the Sedona Ridge Apartments in the Lake Highlands neighborhood.”
The victim was apparently walking through an apartment complex breezeway with another person when two men approached them from behind. According to CBS-DFW News, “One of the suspects put a gun to the the victim’s back and demanded his and the other person’s property.” The suspects reportedly fled after the victims complied. However, the victim apparently attempted to follow the assailants in an effort to get a description for the police. One of the suspects noticed him and opened fire, reportedly striking the victim in the stomach.
Police have allegedly captured two teenagers in connection with robbery-shooting.
Our Legal Take
While relieved the alleged gunmen are in police custody, The Murray Law Firm is questioning the level of security provided to residents and guests of the Dallas apartment complex.
- How did the assailants gain entry to the parking lot? What property access-controls and security measures, such as gated-entry, fencing, security patrols, bright lighting, and surveillance cameras, were in place to deter crime at the time of the shooting?
- Have any prior incidents of violence occurred on or near the property and, if so, have the apartment complex owner and management increased security to protect residents and guests?
By law, apartment 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 may elect to pursue a legal claim for his injuries. Under such a claim, the victim may be entitled to substantial compensation.
Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that the victim 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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