Five Injured in Shooting at Westlake Apartments in Savannah
Chatham Police are currently investigating an apartment shooting that left five people injured in an early morning attack. After receiving multiple calls detailing shots fired at the Westlake Apartments, officers arrived to find numerous vehicles and buildings hit with gunfire. Damage was also found to have extended to the nearby Ocho Rios Apartments.
As law enforcement secured the area, one victim in stable condition was taken to a local hospital. Chatham County Police were later notified that four other adult individuals arrived at hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Their conditions have not been updated at this time.
This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to notify law enforcement and officials.
Understanding Georgia’s Negligent Security Law
Property owners in Georgia have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for residents, visitors, and guests. When they fail to take reasonable security precautions to prevent foreseeable dangers, they may be held liable under the state’s negligent security laws.
Negligent security in an apartment complex can include broken fencing or entry gates, inadequate lighting in parking lots or hallways, and/or a lack of security personnel. When these lapses in security contribute to the occurrence of violent crimes, property owners may be held liable for the harm suffered by victims.
By proactively implementing safety measures, such as controlled access points, routine security inspections, and monitored surveillance cameras, apartment owners can reduce the risk of crime and better protect residents and guests. However, if property owners choose to ignore their legal obligations, they expose themselves to legal and financial consequences.
Recurring Criminal Activity Reveals a Desperate Need for Effective Security Measures
Research indicates that Police have responded to the scene of Westlake Apartments before, demonstrating a history of criminal activity and gun violence. The Gun Violence Archive reveals that 1900 Westlake Ave has had reported instances of violent activity since at least June of 2015. Chatham County Police say that in the past year alone, they’ve responded to at least one robbery, multiple weaponless fights, seven aggravated assaults, and two shootings.
Of note, 25-year old Jamie Burton Jr was killed after a homicide on Westlake property in June of 2023. One month prior, another individual was shot and injured in May 2023. In July of 2022, a victim was taken to the hospital for a gunshot wound. And, shootings took place in both January of 2021, and in June of 2021, which left individuals needing treatment from injuries sustained from gunfire.
Online Reviews only serve to confirm the history of criminal activity on property grounds. One former resident writes that on his first night staying at the Westlake Apartments “someone was outside shooting then a few months after someone brains (sic) was splattered outside my door!!!!” They continue to warn the complex is a “very dangerous place to stay, especially if you have kids…” Another reviewer claiming to have previously landscaped the property, states there is “trash everywhere, common to see people openly toting straps, drug sales on the regular…”
How Can We Demand Justice?
Victims of violent crimes caused by negligent security face lasting physical, emotional, and financial hardships. While law enforcement investigates the crime itself, they do not hold property owners accountable for failing to provide a safe environment. Instead, that responsibility falls on the victims, who have the right to take legal action and demand justice.
By filing a civil claim against a negligent property owner, victims can seek financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and damages caused by these violent crimes. While no legal action can truly undo the trauma of gun violence, holding negligent owners accountable for their inaction can provide victims with the closure and resources needed to rebuild their lives.
Beyond individual restitution, legal action serves a greater purpose–it pushes property owners to prioritize security and take meaningful steps to protect tenants and visitors. Stronger security measures, such as improved lighting conditions, controlled access points, and patrolling security officers can help to deter crime and prevent future tragedies. By demanding justice, victims not only fight for their own rights, but they fight to help create a safer community for everyone.
Together we can Make Georgia safe, one community at a time.