A young black male, Jason Dillard, was 19 years old when he was shot multiple times near a retention pond on the premises of the Madison Cay Apartments in Fort Pierce, Florida. He later died at a nearby hospital.
While facts surrounding the tragic shooting are few, one thing is clear: The apartment complex owners and management team may have been deficient in securing the apartment complex from violence.
Under Florida law, apartment complex and premises have a duty to provide reasonable security of their premises to reduce the opportunity for criminals to perpetuate violent acts such as shootings, robberies, rape, or murder. When they fail to do so, and a violent act occurs that results in severe injury or death, the surviving family members may be able to file a lawsuit against the complex for negligent security.
Two unknown male subjects are wanted as suspects in the murder. Immediately, Fort Pierce police began combing the complex for witnesses or evidence, and even posted a message on the neighborhood app Nextdoor asking any residents who have a “doorbell” camera to come forward. Their hope is that something was captured on tape.
Our hope, too, is that the suspects are arrested and brought to justice, but regardless, if security at a residential apartment complex is insufficient, deadly crime can occur
For the surviving family of Jason Dillard, we hope they eventually receive the justice they deserve in civil court against the Madison Cay apartment complex, it’s owner(s), and it’s property manager for possibly failing to secure the premises in an effort to prevent horrific crimes like this.