Residents of University Park and their parents say a murder at the complex could have been prevented with better security.
Boca Raton police say a group of five people came to an apartment unit at the University Park complex Tuesday night and killed 19-year-old FAU student Nicholas Acosta in what appears to be a drug-related crime.
The complex, which opened this summer, is less than one mile east of Florida Atlantic University's campus. An apartment spokesperson says the rooms are only rented to enrolled college students.
One parent says the apartment management promised her there would be a guarded gatehouse checking cars as they enter the complex. Currently, there is no gatehouse, but security guards are on the premises 24 hours a day. You need a key fob, or an access code to get through a gate securing the parking lot.
The parent thinks the gatehouse she was promised could have prevented the death.
"Maybe help would have gotten to him quicker, or it wouldn't have happened because I can't imagine these kids [suspects] having the nerve to show their ID, and check in, or sign in, and all that stuff if there was a guard gate," says Cyndee, who didn't want to give her last name to protect her daughter who lives in the complex.
Students say they held a town hall-style meeting with managers from the apartment complex this fall asking for the manned gatehouse, but felt like their cries fell on deaf ears.
Since the shooting, security guards have set up cones in the entryway to the complex and stop each driver, checking to make sure they are authorized to be at the complex.
"Having to drive by that everyday now is more of a reminder of what could have been prevented and it should have just been there all along," explains Hailey Tushamn, a junior at FAU who lives at the complex.
"I think it's kind of interesting they said it was too expensive and asked the students if they realized the cost of that. Now we know the cost of it, it's this kid's life. It's sad," Cyndee adds.
She says she is considering breaking her daughter's lease and moving her to a different apartment.
Tushman says she won't move out. She's impressed with the security changes the complex has made and feels like everyone at the apartment is on high alert, making it unlikely something like this will happen again.
"I do feel pretty safe in this apartment. Honestly, security does always patrol around and we have our gates and we're in the middle of Boca Raton," Tushman says.
Another resident Brett Tritschler says he's not moving out right away, but did consider it. He says the complex has been in constant contact with residents since the shooting.
"They sent us a text telling us to go to this link saying if there is any problem call security or 911. They've been very, very good about letting us know what's going on and keeping us up to date," Tritschler says.
A spokesperson from University Park didn't comment on particulars of security and what may have been promised to tenants. She released this statement:
"There has been an incident at University Park. We are currently cooperating with authorities-Boca Raton Police Department- as this remains an on-going investigation."
Police arrested one suspect in Miami Gardens Wednesday. Donovan Henry is a 19-year-old FAU freshman who played on the school's soccer team.
The chief of police says detectives found a text message conversation between Acosta and Henry discussing drugs and tracked Henry using the phone number.
Four other male suspects are still on the run.
