Columbia, Maryland - Man Shot Dead Outside The Bluffs at Clary's Forest Apartments

Ongoing Investigation For The Deadly Shooting at The Bluffs at Clary’s Forest Apartments

WBALTV claims that around 1:28 p.m on July 21, 2019 a shooting occurred at The Bluffs at Clary’s Forest apartment complex located at 12100-H Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044. The victim was 21-year-old Taiwon Dashon Dorsey. Following the shooting, Dorsey was taken to Shock Trauma and then later died.

At this point, police have revealed that the suspect was around 6 ft. tall, thin, and wearing a goatee and dreadlocks. The police received a tip about suspicious activity at a building close by the area, but nothing was uncovered.

For now, Howard County police ask that anyone with any information call  410-313-STOP or email HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

Can Apartment Building Owners Be Liable For Violent Crime on Their Properties?

Are you looking for an apartment shooting law firm? Attorney contributor Aaron Blank works closely with apartment shooting victims and their families in trying to convey all legal options they may have in civil cases. Below, Mr. Blank has offered some of his legal insight on the matter:

“First, it is important to understand that property owners, including apartment complex owners, must be able to provide safety to all of their customers and employees on or near the premises. And to do this they need to protect these patrons from preventable dangers. How do property owners do this one may ask? Well, they should offer adequate security on-site at all times, which includes things like video surveillance and lighting in parking lots. The keyword here is “should” because sometimes property owners do not offer adequate security and as a result of their negligence people sometimes become affected by shootings and other violent crimes. When people on the property become victims of violent crimes due to inadequate security, they may have grounds for a lawsuit and the property owner may be held liable.”

“But the victim’s attorney needs to go beyond just showing that the owner held inadequate security. In fact, the crime victim attorney must also prove that the crime that occurred was reasonably foreseeable. For example, if an apartment complex owner received a report that shootings were on the rise in the area, deliberately chose not to upgrade security, and then someone was killed on-site, the victim’s family may have grounds for a lawsuit because the crime was reasonably foreseeable in nature. To be clear, however, the crime victim attorney must prove that the crime was reasonably foreseeable and that inadequate security was provided”

If you or someone you know has been involved in a similar situation, we strongly suggest that you reach out to an experienced attorney today. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our crime victim attorneys now.

Sources:

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/the-bluffs-apartment-columbia-police-investigation/28456761