Fatal Shooting of 33-Year Old Woman at Harmony Plaza Apartments, Another Atlanta Tragedy
Atlanta Police Department responded to the Harmony Plaza Apartment complex following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, Officers found a woman suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate attention from EMS, Ms. Sherten was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was identified as 33-year old Ericka Nicole Sherten.
Homicide investigators are actively working to determine the events that led up to the shooting on the complex’s property. But, the question remains: will the Harmony Plaza Apartment Complex be held civilly liable for the criminal activity that occurred on the property?
Understanding Georgia’s Negligent Security Law
In Georgia, property owners have a legal responsibility to take reasonable measures to protect tenants, visitors, and guests from foreseeable criminal activity. This duty is especially critical in areas with a known history of criminal activity. Failing to address security concerns can put people at serious risk of injury or death.
Negligent security often occurs when a property owner fails to implement basic security precautions, such as maintaining adequate lighting, securing entry points, or hiring security personnel when necessary. When these lapses create an environment where violent crime can occur, the property owner can be held liable under Georgia’s negligent security laws. Victims of crimes resulting from inadequate security have the right to pursue legal action and seek compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.
By taking proactive steps–such as installing surveillance cameras, enforcing controlled access, and maintaining well-lit common areas–property owners can reduce criminal activity and help create safer spaces for everyone. Failing to do so not only puts lives at risk, but also opens these property owners up to significant legal consequences.
Known History of Criminal Activity and Negative Reviews
This is not the first time criminal violence has occurred on Harmony Plaza property. In April of 2024, Stanley Shivers was tragically killed after being shot multiple times.
The Harmony Plaza Apartments boast a litany of negative online reviews, with many complaining of serious roach and rodent infestations, inattentive management staff, and dangerous living conditions.
One resident complains the complex is a “drug area with a lot of homeless people staying in [the] apartments.” Another resident expresses, in all caps, their relief upon the ending of their lease: “this is the worst community I have ever lived in…not to mention dead body’s in the front of the complex.” Other residents warn prospective tenants “[d]o not move here.”
Only Victims and Their Families Can Demand Justice
When victims suffer due to a property owner’s failure to provide adequate security, they are often left to deal with the consequences alone. While law enforcement may investigate the crime, they cannot force property owners to improve security measures or compensate those affected. This leaves victims and their families with the responsibility to seek justice themselves.
Filing a civil lawsuit under Georgia’s negligent security laws allows victims to hold property owners accountable for their inaction. While no amount of compensation can undo the trauma of a violent crime, it can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial burdens that may arise in the aftermath. Beyond financial relief, legal action also sends a clear message that negligent security will not be tolerated.
By demanding justice, victims play a vital role in making their communities safer. Property owners facing legal consequences are more likely to take proactive measures–such as hiring qualified security personnel, repairing broken gates or entry points, and improving lighting conditions on the property–to prevent future incidents. Pursuing legal action is not just about individual restitution; it’s about ensuring no one else in the community has to suffer from preventable negligence.
Together we can Make Georgia Safe, one community at a time.