Man Found Shot to Death Outside Florida City Townhome: Could Negligent Security Be a Factor?

A fatal shooting is under investigation after a man was found shot to death Wednesday afternoon outside a townhome in Florida City, according to law enforcement officials.

Florida City Police responded at approximately 4:18 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of Northeast 2nd Terrace. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds lying outside a townhome, near a white vehicle.

Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released.

Video from Chopper6 showed investigators working the scene, with the victim’s body covered by a yellow tarp. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation. As of now, authorities have not announced any suspects or arrests, and the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear.

Shootings occurring in or around residential communities—such as townhome complexes—often raise troubling questions about property safety, security measures, and crime prevention. Residents and visitors reasonably expect that shared residential areas will have basic safeguards in place to deter violent crime.

Depending on the facts uncovered during the investigation, this incident may prompt scrutiny of:

• Whether there was a history of violent crime or prior incidents in the area
• Whether the property had functioning lighting, gates, or controlled access
• Whether security cameras were present and operational
• Whether the property owner or manager knew—or should have known—about ongoing safety risks

When a Shooting May Involve Negligent Security

Under Florida negligent security law, property owners—including townhome associations, landlords, and property management companies—have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect residents and guests from foreseeable criminal acts.

A negligent security claim may arise if:

• The area had prior violent crimes or police calls
• Security measures were inadequate or poorly maintained
• Promised security features (such as gates, patrols, or cameras) were absent or nonfunctional
• The lack of security made the crime more likely to occur

Even if the shooter is never identified or arrested, civil liability may still exist if a property owner’s failure to provide reasonable security contributed to the fatal outcome.

Legal Options for the Victim’s Family

If negligence is established, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and protection
• Mental pain and suffering of surviving family members

These cases are civil, not criminal, and are focused on accountability and financial recovery—not criminal punishment.

Law enforcement investigations focus on identifying the shooter and potential criminal charges. They do not investigate civil liability. An independent legal investigation can help uncover:

• Prior crime data for the property and surrounding area
• Surveillance footage or missing camera evidence
• Maintenance and security records
• Whether the property complied with local safety standards

Preserving this evidence early can be critical to protecting a family’s rights.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families in wrongful death and negligent security cases across Florida. We intentionally limit our caseload so families work directly with experienced attorneys who handle complex, high-stakes cases.

Our firm can:

• Investigate whether negligent security played a role
• Identify responsible property owners or managers
• Handle all insurance and legal communications
• Pursue justice with care, discretion, and urgency

There are no upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation.

📞 If you lost a loved one in a shooting outside an apartment, townhome, or residential property in Florida City or anywhere in Florida, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free, confidential consultation.