Shooting at Creekside Vista Apartments Kills 40-Year-Old Man
DeKalb County Police were called out to the Creekside Vista Apartments after someone reported gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a man in his 40s with multiple gunshot wounds located in the complex parking lot. Sadly, despite their efforts, he died at the scene.
Police are asking anyone with more information about the shooting to come forward.
Is Creekside Vista Liable Under Negligent Security Law in Georgia?
In Georgia, property owners have a legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect their tenants, visitors, and guests from foreseeable criminal activity. When property owners ignore this responsibility and fail to uphold their duty by neglecting essential security measures, they may be held accountable under Georgia’s negligent security laws.
When property owners fail to implement basic safety measures, such as maintaining proper lighting conditions, securing entry points, or installing surveillance on the property, negligent security can occur. If a lack of security contributes to a violent crime, the property owner can be found legally responsible. Consequently, victims have a right to pursue legal action against these negligent property owners for any harm they may have suffered.
If, instead, property owners take their responsibility seriously by investing in appropriate security measures, they can help prevent otherwise avoidable tragedies and fulfill their obligation to protect those on their premises. Failing to do so not only puts people at serious risk, but it exposes the property owners to legal consequences under Georgia law.
An Area Perpetuated by Criminal Activity and Negative Reviews
Creekside Vista Apartments, located in the 3100 block of Lumby Drive, find themselves on the AJC Dangerous Dwellings list, a study conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for areas with perpetually high rates/instances of crime. Between 2017 through July of 2023, over 120 crimes were reported to have occurred, including four robberies and eight aggravated assaults. In October of 2021, a man was shot and killed on the Creekside Vista property.
Negative reviews online attributed to the Creekside Vista apartments reveal pre-existing problems with the complex and its staff. One reviewer writes “the gate is standing wide open and hasn’t worked in MONTHS.” Another resident writes that the negatives are so numerous “I can’t even type it all. It’s real dirty and nasty looking around here.” A former resident who was driven to break her lease tells others “ I wouldn’t recommend anyone to stay here especially families with young children.”
How Can We Demand Justice?
When violent crime occurs due to negligent security, victims and their families are often left to deal with the devastating aftermath on their own. Law enforcement investigates these crimes, but they cannot hold property owners accountable for failing to provide adequate security or prevent future incidents.
To seek justice, victims must take legal action against negligent property owners themselves. No lawsuit can undo the trauma of a violin attack, but pursuing a negligent security claim can provide much-needed financial relief for medical bills, lost wages, relocation costs, or other unexpected expenses. Additionally, these civil suits send a strong message to other property owners that ignoring security concerns will not be tolerated by the community.
By demanding accountability, victims play a crucial role in pushing property owners to take safety seriously–whether that means maintaining/repairing gated entry points, hiring security personnel to patrol the premises, or improving the lighting conditions around the complex. Justice is not just about compensation; it’s about holding property owners responsible for contributing to safer communities that prevent future tragedies.
Together we can Make Georgia Safe, one community at a time.