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Boy, 13, Seriously Injured in Wilmington Apartment Complex Shooting; Security Failure?

Boy, 13, Seriously Injured in Wilmington Apartment Complex Shooting. (WWAYtv3.com)

Did negligent security contribute to the shooting at a Wilmington apartment complex and are justice and compensation available to the victim?  Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.

LOCAL NEWS

Gunfire erupted at a Wilmington, North Carolina apartment complex Wednesday afternoon, July 17, 2019, leaving one young teen boy injured.  According to WWAYtv3.com, “[i]t happened just before 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Cypress Cove.”  When officers arrived they found “a 13-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.”  The victim was transported to the hospital and is in serious condition, according to the report.  WCET.com is reporting that a “16-year-old male has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill and discharge of a firearm” and an  “18-year-old Keshaun Durrell Pierce, has been charged with accessory after the fact.”

The investigation is ongoing.

OUR LEGAL TAKE

Residents and guests of apartment complexes have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises. The level of security provided at the apartment complex is of significance, and is a relevant consideration when analyzing whether this shooting may have been prevented.  The following questions are also important in assessing whether this incident may have been avoided:

  • Have there been prior incidents of violence on the property, and, if so, were any security measures added after any prior incidents?
  • What security measures were in place to deter crime and protect the victim and others at the time of the shooting?
  • Was the complex aware of any suspicious activity or suspicious people on property prior to the shooting?

Property owners are generally required to protect against foreseeable harm to anyone and everyone legally on the premises.  Should the investigation into this incident reveal facts that establish that the apartment complex owner or management lacked adequate security to protect its residents and visitors, the victim may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for his injuries.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, and suggests that an immediate, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed so as to limit evidence from being altered, damaged or destroyed.  The complexities of pursuing a negligent security case are well understood by the legal team at The Murray Law Firm, and it is imperative that the victim retain a capable law firm who will work without delay to protect his interests.

OUR RESULTS: OVER $100 MILLION IN VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS FOR OUR CLIENTS

The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of violence and security negligence.  We have obtained over $100 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.

We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover.  Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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DISCLAIMERS:  The information contained in this post is from secondary sources and may therefore contain inaccuracies. We will gladly correct or remove this post upon request.  The material contained in this post is not intended to constitute legal advice. As each Client is unique, please contact us for a free consultation on your particular case.  “Contingent attorneys’ fees” refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.
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