Three Injured in Shooting at Lakeview Apartments in Fort Valley
An early morning shooting at Lakeview Apartments on Edwards Street in Fort Valley, Georgia, left three individuals injured. According to Fort Valley Police, officers in the area heard multiple gunshots around 12:15 a.m. and responded to the scene. They discovered a 17-year-old male and a 19-year-old female with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to the leg. Additionally, a 21-year-old female sustained a graze wound to her arm from a stray bullet.
The Fort Valley Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section is actively investigating the incident. The case remains open, and officials are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Breaking Down Georgia’s Negligent Security Laws
In Georgia, apartment owners have a legal responsibility to keep their properties safe for residents, visitors, and workers. This means they must take basic steps to prevent crime, especially if there have already been problems in the past.
Negligent security happens when property owners don’t fix things like broken locks, poor lighting, or busted gates—problems that make it easier for crime to happen. If someone gets hurt because the property wasn’t properly secured, the victim has the right to take legal action.
That legal action can help cover the cost of things like medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. More importantly, it can pressure landlords to make real safety improvements. When owners are held responsible, they’re more likely to invest in better lighting, working gates, and on-site security—changes that help protect everyone who lives there.
A Troubling History of Crime at Lakeview Apartments
This recent incident adds to a troubling history of violence at Lakeview Apartments. Notably, in July 2022, a shooting at the same complex resulted in the death of 23-month-old Marcus Ball Jr. and injured his 12-month-old sister, Markailey Ball.
The recurrence of such violent incidents at Lakeview Apartments underscores the urgent need for improved security measures and community safety initiatives. Residents and local officials alike are calling for action to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of all community members.
The online reviews for the Lakeview Apartments shows residents are aware of criminal activity on the property. One resident notes, “The drug dealers litter the breezeways and not only sack up their product but deliver it to the community right there in front of the kids.” Another states plainly, “This place is unlivable and dangerous. Three fatal shooting in less than 2 months.”
Negligent Security and Georgia Law
In Georgia, apartment owners are legally required to take reasonable steps to protect residents, guests, and visitors from foreseeable harm—including violent crime. This duty becomes even more important when a property has a known history of shootings or assaults.
Landlords are expected to:
- Maintain working perimeter fences and access gates
- Install and monitor visible security cameras
- Provide adequate lighting in parking lots and walkways
- Hire security personnel when the level of crime in the area makes it necessary
When owners and management companies fail to take these basic precautions, they may be held accountable through civil lawsuits. Tenants and their families have the right to demand financial compensation for medical costs, emotional trauma, or lost income resulting from preventable violence.
At Lakeview Apartments, two major shootings in under three years raise serious concerns about the property owner’s commitment to safety. The community has already paid the highest price—one child dead, another maimed, and now three more injured.
Seeking Accountability, Delivering Change
Law enforcement can investigate crimes and arrest suspects, but they cannot force landlords to take action to prevent future violence. That responsibility falls on the property owners—and when they fail, the only way to hold them accountable may be through the courts.
If you or someone you love has been harmed by violence in an apartment community where security was lacking, you may have the right to seek justice.
Together, we can Make Georgia Safe—one community at a time.