Shooting at Durant at Sugarloaf Apartments Raises Security Concerns

Online reviews reveal an apartment community where crime is common. Could better security have prevented the shooting of Kapri Ward and Jamar Quarles?

Gwinnett police are investigating a deadly shooting at Durant at Sugarloaf Apartments in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Shortly after midnight on July 1, 2021, police discovered the body of 29-year-old Kapri Ward, and paramedics rushed critically injured 17-year-old Jamar Quarles to the hospital.

While the shooter’s motive is unknown, it’s clear from online reviews that Durant at Sugarloaf Apartments has security issues. Reviewers complain that the gate is frequently broken. Another complains of a broken perimeter fence that allows non-residents into the complex. “Neighbors cars are being broken into and violence right outside my building,” claims another.

When a property owner or manager is aware of crime on their property but they don’t take sufficient actions to protect their residents, they can be held liable for violence that occurs on their premises. Georgia law requires property owners to implement reasonable security measures to protect residents and guests from foreseeable threats.

Police can only do so much to deter violent crime, and they cannot compensate a victim or a family for damages related to the crime. Property owners and managers, however, have the power to improve lighting, maintain their fences, and providing functioning access controls such as gates that keep unwelcome people off the property and deter potential criminals. Only the survivors of violent crimes and the families of victims can stand up and hold property owners and managers accountable using the civil justice system. By demanding justice, we can force communities to improve security, and in this way, we can help Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.