Robert Levine Charged With Attempted First Degree Murder. Victim Suing Senior Living Community, Security Company. Read The Suit. Share Your Comments.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The victim of a high-profile shooting at Kings Point in Delray Beach is now suing Kings Point, security company “Universal Protection Service,” the Kings Point management company “Vesta Property Services,” and the alleged gunman, Robert Levine.
The shooting occurred on April 25th and was first reported by BocaNewsNow.com. Police say Robert Levine shot Herbert Merritt — in the ankle — on the Kings Point golf course, then beat the man with golf clubs. Levine was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. He was also placed on a mental health hold. The shooting was allegedly instigated by a dog on a golf course. Read the complete lawsuit, below.
Merritt, in his suit, claims that Kings Point was negligent by letting Levine on property, and by not engaging adequate security in the community. The following is an incomplete list of accusations from the suit obtained by BocaNewsNow.com:
Failing to have security guards/officers on the premises during relevant hours;
Failing to take reasonable measures that would guard against and otherwise deter the conduct of criminal activity on its premises and in failing to be proactive in the prevention of crimes on its property and against its residents;
Failing to inspect and evaluate its property for dangerous conditions and security deficiencies;
Failing to implement reasonable monitoring devices such as surveillance cameras on and
around the exterior of the premises;
Failing to create, implement, distribute, and/or enforce reasonable security policies, security measures and security procedures necessary to protect the residents and invitees of KINGS POINT;
Failing to create and/or implement a reasonable security plan which would meet the known industry standards and customs for safety in the community;
Failing to take reasonable precautionary measures to deter and prevent violent crime upon the premises, in light of the history of violent crime, at the premises;
Failing to police, patrol, guard, deter, and otherwise provide adequate protection for its residents and invitees at the subject premises, when Defendant knew or should have known of foreseeable criminal acts;
Failing to have an adequate number of security guards at the subject premises to protect its residents and invitees, including HERBERT MERRITT;
Failing to hire and/or retain competent security guards to protect its residents and invitees, including HERBERT MERRITT;
Failing to properly train security guards to be reasonably skillful, competent and/or qualified to exercise appropriate and proper security measures so that they could protect its residents and invitees, including HERBERT MERRITT;
Failing to implement or operate adequate access control to the community.
At all times material hereto, the Defendant, LEVINE was present at the subject premises. LEVINE created an imminent apprehension of physical contact when he pointed his firearm at Plaintiff, causing him to fear for his life. LEVINE committed battery upon the Plaintiff by intentionally shooting and beating Plaintiff with his fists and golf clubs.
Merritt suffered significant injuries according to the complaint: “As a direct and proximate result of the assault and/or battery of Defendant LEVINE, the Plaintiff suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of ability to earn money, and aggravation of a previously existing condition. The losses are either permanent or continuing and Plaintiff will suffer the losses in the future.”
Merritt is represented by the law firm of Aronberg and Aronberg in Delray Beach. Read the complete lawsuit here.
Do you think Kings Point is responsible for the shooting? Share your thoughts, below.
13 responses to “Kings Point Delray Beach Sued After Shooting”
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Yes. I think Kings Point is responsible for letting people live there that shouldn’t. There should be more cameras. Renters should be better screened and residents who let their children move in that are under 55 should be screened as well. There shouldn’t be as many arrests in one year. There is a crime issue, drug issue. Kings Point Propety management and the various boards need to set rules, expectations. They need to look at each arrest that occurred and help the community and the residents of Kings Point.
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Absolutely correct. Many of the Associations in the Kings Point community are very lax in their background checks.
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In a community of over 12000, 16 arrests in a year is negligible in comparison to the surrounding area. Facts of this case were a golfer, not a resident shot someone walking on the golf course. The victim, is the resident, and I don’t advocate him being shot, was not supposed to be on the course. Boca News prints and sensationalizes everything negative about Kings Point and I can not remember anything positive about our community. I guarantee that if I was in New York and was arrested for jumping a turnstile the headline would read Kings Point resident arrested for failure to pay for services. Rag publication to the highest of standards.
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I agree with you David.
This paper, seems like a personal vendetta against kings point!
These things are happening all over in senior communities but they never mention any other community…
Sad to be them!
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YES!! Something must be done. I am a retired Federal Law Enforcement Police/Inspector who has faced issues similar.
A detailed Threat and Vulnerability survey must be done, to expose where and to identify weaknesses. Then initiate the countermeasures that are required. -
Obviously, there aren’t any thorough backgrounds checks on prospective tenants!
Other wise Kings Points Delray would not have so many criminals residing there. -
I have my vested inheritance house at Valencia Isles. The address 6826 Fiji Circle, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Palm Beach County.
As soon as my mother died on February 28, 2017. The management company Castle Management Inc. and Castle Management LLC doing business as Castle Group and Valencia Isles hired security firm intentionally stop me from entering my own house for me to enjoy my house and protect my house. The reason was very clear that they don’t Asian American live there and also the scam. My house was sold on 12/15/2020 without my knowledge, consent and signature for $315,000. On 4/5/2021 illegally resold for $565,000 with finance by Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) without my knowledge, consent and signature. The both transactions was using the same attorney and the same attorney’s title company. Even though I had enter and exit from the Valencia Isles community since 1999. When my mother died on February 28, 2017, the guard did not recognize me and refuse to allow me to enter the community so they (the predators and criminals) can steal. I had submit my parents estate plan that show I am the owner of the house! But the unlicensed Community Association Manager did not input but left it out so I can not get inside the community. Sad! Because it is a crime! This is happening in the 55 plus community! How many millions of dollars that I should seek for my justices? I even using my own money sending letters to individual homeowners! Each house count as a $10,000 violation, don’t they know that? -
How is any community liable for the criminal actions of a mentally ill gun owner? Will there be changes to the rights of the second amendment for background checks; will the community expect to have all gun owners register their fire arms with the security company/ HOA; will the HOA amend their by laws about owning guns; will the community be asking for any resident to make sure that the community knows their mental health status; will there be county or state standards for the extent of security, the number of security personnel by units, the type of security – patrol cars, outside personnel patrols or walks, cameras, fencing, identification of guests, alerting residents of guests, the hours of maximum security/ minimum security/ no security. So many regulations will require legislation may not be possible under the present political situation. In this individual case, the accused may just be determined to not be able to be prosecuted due to mental illness, so how does the HOA get sued for that?
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9/29/23 – Just this week, my granddaughter was visiting for a few days. She decided to take a walk to Publix, exiting and re-entering through the Main Flanders Gate. She was not stopped going out or returning. She went to buy me a bouquet of flowers. Another time, about a year ago, a young man rang my door bell, INSISTING that I had his girlfriend’s cell phone…supposedly she was at the hospital across the street and tracking her cell phone, it indicated it was at my address. I asked how he got in and he said he just walked in through the gate without being stopped. He was a very tall, imposing, young man of color, and made me feel very uneasy. A few months ago, three teens entered via the Sims Gate, two on bicycles and one on foot, who remained at the gate…appearing as a ‘lookout’. Something needs to be done to make this community more secure. The trash I find myself picking up, coming and going, is a nuisance. Too many rentals…the By-laws which were recently updated need to be further amended regarding the ‘Grandfather Clause’ which allows people not to visit their property for years.
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Kings Point Communities have always been marketed to lower-end N/Y & N/J residents with the promise of a glamorous warm Florida lifestyle.
Unfortunately, because of these very same people, these communities have de-volved into over-priced, under-delivered pre-slums. These are the same people who populated The Bronx in N/Y/C, and not the persons who populated The Hamptons on Long Island. These N/Y & N/J transplants need to take responsibility for their own situation and not blame anyone else. -
Securiy is a joke you can just walk in the
Guards are busy socializing and not pay attention to the surroundings
Action needs to be taken by Mgt and homeowners -
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Some of these elderly people need to take a good hard look in the mirror at themselves before they go calling other people criminals or negligent.
How many years of sleeping or excuses before someone makes a phone call to take care of something? It’s too difficult to call or pay someone to clean the retention ponds? Mm hmm .. Some workers are & have been very disrespectful to the property here too. Reminder ( some) not all workers. But when I say some….there’s been a lot throughout time. People can make amendments….but really can’t & don’t. Condo boards…HOA..by laws….rules…etc…. Some of it nonsense to just drive people insane.
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