Fasig | Brooks Law Offices has filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of the family of Khali Knight, a 23-year-old U.S. Army veteran who was fatally shot on July 17, 2024, at ReNew Tallahassee apartments in Tallahassee, Florida. The lawsuit, filed in Leon County Circuit Court, names VA8 Seminole Grand, LLC d/b/a ReNew Tallahassee (owner/operator), Trinity Property Consultants, LLC (property management), and Norwood Holdings, LLC d/b/a Signal of Central Tallahassee (private security) as defendants. The apartment complex is located at 1505 West Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
The complaint alleges that the defendants were negligent in their duty to provide adequate security measures for residents and guests. Despite a documented history of prior shooting incidents and violent crimes on and around the premises in recent years, the property owner, management company, and security company failed to implement reasonable and necessary safeguards. According to Attorney Ryan Molaghan, 'Khali Knight's untimely death was entirely preventable. The site of this senseless shooting has been a hotbed for serious violent crime, including several shooting deaths, for years and years.'
The lawsuit details specific failures, including inadequate lighting, insufficient security patrols, lack of proper access controls, and failure to respond appropriately to the known pattern of violent criminal activity. The action further alleges that the contracted security company failed to fulfill its professional obligations, placing residents and visitors at an unreasonable and foreseeable risk of harm. The perpetrator, who was allowed to reside at ReNew Tallahassee at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to federal gun and drug offenses related to Knight's murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
While the criminal justice system has delivered a measure of justice, Attorneys Molaghan and Hogan emphasize that the civil case seeks to hold accountable those whose negligence created dangerous conditions. 'A criminal conviction of the shooter does not absolve those who failed to prevent the violence in the first place from being held accountable,' Molaghan stated. 'Property owners and management companies, as well as security companies, have a legal obligation to keep people lawfully on the property safe. When they neglect their obligation, it's time for them to feel the full weight of the law.'
This case highlights the broader implications for property owners and security firms across the industry. The outcome could set a precedent for how apartment complexes with histories of violent crime are required to implement security measures. For readers, especially those living in or considering renting at properties with known safety concerns, this lawsuit underscores the importance of holding management accountable for ensuring resident safety. The legal action seeks not only compensation for the family but also systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.
