Trial Magazine

Roderick Sweeting, 17, walked from school to his home at the Oaks at Miami Gardens condominium complex, where he lived with his mother and a sibling. When he arrived at the complex, he was shot and killed by a gunman who had come onto the property. Sweeting is survived by his parents and several siblings.

Sweeting’s estate sued the condominium association, alleging inadequate security. Suit claimed that the property had a history of violent crime, including a previous murder, and that despite this, the defendant failed to implement any security measures. The plaintiff asserted that the defendant had allowed the gates to fall into disrepair, which enabled the gunman to access the complex.

The defendant asserted that it did not have the resources to implement additional security. The plaintiff reportedly countered that the defendant mismanaged its funds.

The parties settled for $1 million.

Citation: Sweeting v. The Oaks at Miami Gardens, No. 16-013366 CA-01 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Miami-Dade Cnty. July 2017).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Douglas J. McCarron, Coral Gables, Fla.

Plaintiff expert: E. Dwayne Tatalovich, security, Phoenix.

Defense expert: Bruce Jacobs, security, Dallas.